Pursuant to the authority vested in the Commissioner of Revenues by the
following enactment of the Arkansas General Assembly:
1. Act 131 of 1935;
2. Act 386 Of 1941;
3. Act 78 of 1949;
4. Act 265 of 1963;
5. Act 5 of 1968;
6. Act 214 of 1971;
7. Act 68 of 1973;
8. Act 516 of 1973;
9. Act 800 of 1975;
10. Act 54 of 1973;
11. Act 109 of 1979; and
12. Act 401 of 1979, as amended; and in
compliance with §3 of Act 434 of 1967 and Act 583 of 1973, the
Commissioner of Revenues of the Arkansas Department of Finance and
Administration, with the approval of the Governor, . does hereby promulgate the
following rules and regulations for the enforcement and administration of Ark.
Code Ann. §
26-52-101 et
seq.
GR-1.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
All regulations previously promulgated by the Commissioner of Revenues
for purposes of enforcing or implementing the Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax Act
of 1941 (as amended) are hereby specifically repealed as the effective date of
these regulations. These regulations shall be effective from and after
midnight, November 1, 1992.
GR-2.
PURPOSE OF THE REGULATIONS: The following regulations are
promulgated to implement and clarify the Gross Receipts Tax Act (§
26-52-101 et
seq.), and short term rental tax statutes (§§
26-52-310
and
26-52-311
). All persons affected by or relying upon these regulations are advised to
read them in their entirety because the meaning of the provisions of one
regulation may depend upon the provisions contained in another
regulation.
GR-3.
DEFINITIONS: For purposes of these regulations, unless otherwise
required by their context, the following definitions apply:
A. Commissioner: The term "Commissioner"
means and refers to the Commissioner of Revenues of the State of Arkansas, or
any of his duly authorized agents.
B. Sale: The term 'Sale" means any
transaction resulting in the transfer of either the title or possession, for a
services regardless of the manner, method, instrumentality or device by which
such transfer is accomplished. The term 'Sale" includes the exchange, barter,
lease or rental of tangible personal property or services. In the case of
leases or rentals of tangible personal property, the tax shall be paid on the
basis of rental or lease payments made to the lessor of such tangible personal
property during the term of the lease or rental; however, except for short term
rentals and rentals of motor vehicles for less than thirty (30) days, the tax
shall not apply to gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from leases or
rentals of tangible personal property upon which either the Arkansas gross
receipts tax or compensating tax was paid at the time of purchase of the
tangible personal property. (See GR-2 0)
A financing arrangement which only gives a lender a security interest
in tangible personal property will not subject such lender to the tax, if,
prior to such financing arrangement, either the Arkansas Gross Receipts or
Compensating Tax has been paid on the purchase price of the tangible personal
property by one of the parties to the financing arrangement.
C. Gross Receipts - Gross Proceeds:
(1) The term "Gross Receipts" or "Gross
Proceeds" means the total amount of consideration for the sale of tangible
personal property and such services as are herein provided for, whether the
consideration is in money or otherwise, without any deduction therefor on
account of the cost of the property sold, labor service performed, interest
paid by the retailer, losses or any expenses whatsoever, including vehicle
manufacturer or dealer rebates and federal luxury excise tax. Federal
manufacturer's excise taxes are not a part of the "Gross Receipts" or "Gross
Proceeds" if the excise taxes are separately stated or separately billed to the
consumer.
(2) The term "Gross
Proceeds" or "Gross Receipts" includes the value of any goods, wares,
merchandise, or property withdrawn or used from the established business or
from the stock in trade of the established reserves for consumption by or use
in such business, or for consumption or use by any other person. (See also
GR-18).
(3) The term "Gross
Receipts" or "Gross Proceeds" includes the value of any property taken in lieu
of or in addition to money as consideration for a sale.
D. Taxpayer: The term "Taxpayer" means any
person making a sale subject to or liable to remit the gross receipts tax or to
make a report for the purpose of claiming any exemption from payment of gross
receipts taxes.
E. Established
Business: The term "Established Business" means any business operated or
conducted by any person in a continuous manner for any length of time from an
established place or in an established manner.
F. Seller: The term 'Seller" is synonymous
with "vendor" and means every person making sales in an established business as
herein defined.
G. Consumer: The
term "Consumer" is synonymous with "user" or "customer" or "purchaser" and
means the person to whom a taxable sale is made, or to whom taxable services
are furnished or a person who consumes tangible personal property or services.
Contractors are deemed to be the consumers of all tangible personal property or
taxable services purchased by them in the performance of a contract. (See
GR-3L).
H. The term "Doing
Business" is synonymous with "Engaging in Business" and means any and all local
activity regularly and persistently pursued by a seller or seller's agents,
employees, or representatives, with the object of gain, profit, or advantage,
and which results in a sale, delivery, and/or the transfer of the possession of
any tangible personal property by the seller to the consumer, at or from any
point in Arkansas, whether from warehouse, store, office, storage point,
rolling store, motor vehicle, delivery conveyance, or by any method or device
under the control of seller effecting such local delivery, without regard to
the terms of sale with respect to point of acceptance of the order, point of
payment, or any other condition. "Doing Business" or "Engaging in Business", as
set out herein, is equally applicable to sellers of services which are subject
to the gross receipts tax.
I. The
term "Tangible Personal Property" means personal property which may be seen,
weighed, measured, felt, touched, or is in any other manner perceptible to the
senses.
J. The term "Machine" means
any device consisting of two or more resistant, relatively constrained parts,
which, by a certain predetermined intermotion, may serve to transmit and modify
force and motion so as to produce some given effect or to do some desired kind
of work. The term "Machinery" shall mean mechanical devices or combinations of
mechanical powers and devices purchased and used to perform some function and
produce a certain effect or result. Hand tools are not machinery. (See GR-55
E(5)).
K. The term "Person" means
and includes individuals, fiduciaries, corporations, partnerships, joint
ventures, associations mutual or otherwise, estates, trusts, receivers,
trustees appointed by any State or Federal Court, this State, any county, city,
municipality, school district, or any other political subdivision or
combination acting as a unit, in the plural or singular number.
L. The term "Contractor" shall mean any
person who contracts or undertakes to construct, manage or supervise the
construction, erection or substantial modification of any building or other
improvement or structure affixed to real property. Persons who construct items
of tangible personal property are not contractors. (See GR-21.)
M. Retailers Permit: "Retailers Permit" means
and refers to the retailers permit as required by Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-201.
N. As used in these regulations, the terms
'sales tax" and "gross receipts tax" are synonymous and mean the tax imposed by
Ark. Code Ann. §§
26-52-301
and 302.
GR-4.
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF TAX:
A. The
gross receipts tax levied by Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-101 et
seq. is 4%% of the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from all sales
within Arkansas of tangible personal property and certain services and
admission fees upon which tax is imposed.
B. The tax levied by Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-310
(short-term rental tax) is 1% of the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived
from short term rentals of tangible personal property except for certain
vehicles and equipment and items subject to tourism tax. See GR-2 0.
C. The tax levied by Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-311
(rental vehicle tax) is 4%% of the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived
from short-term rentals of licensed motor vehicles. See GR-2 0.
GR-5.
TAX IMPOSED UPON SALE
AND NOT PROPERTY - INTERSTATE AND INTRASTATE SALES:
A. The Arkansas gross receipts tax is a tax
imposed upon the sale of tangible personal property and not the property
itself. Thus, when a sale of tangible personal property occurs in Arkansas, a
taxable event has occurred and the tax should be collected and remitted. When
tangible personal property is sold to a consumer and the seller thereof is
engaged in an established business within Arkansas and delivery is made within
Arkansas transferring either title or possession of the property, such sale is
intrastate and subject to the gross receipts tax irrespective of the fact that
the seller may not have in stock certain goods, wares and merchandise for
immediate delivery which requires the vendor to order same for direct shipment
at or from a source outside this State.
B. Sellers must collect and remit the tax
when the sale of property takes place within the State of Arkansas even though
the property may be delivered outside Arkansas as an accommodation or
convenience for the consumer's benefit. The fact that the purchaser of property
is also a common carrier and the property is to be shipped outside the State
does not make the delivery of the goods a nontaxable event. If a customer picks
up the property in Arkansas in his own conveyance, then the sale is intrastate
and tax must be collected and remitted.
C. When tangible personal property is sold by
a seller engaged in an established business in this State and under the terms
of a contract of sale or order, the seller delivers by common carrier, U. S.
Postal Service or in the seller's own conveyance to a point outside this State
for consumption and use, such transactions are not subject to the tax and may
be deducted provided proper records are preserved to establish such deductions
including mail orders, shipping orders and all data pertinent to the purchase
and delivery.
D. When a taxable
service is performed in Arkansas a taxable event has occurred and the tax must
be collected and remitted even though the consumer of the service resides or is
located in another State and/or the property upon which the service is
performed is shipped to another State.
GR-6.
SERVICES SUBJECT TO
TAX-UTILITIES-PUBLIC SERVICES:
A. All
services provided by public utilities or public services are subject to the
gross receipts tax. The tax should be collected and remitted by the seller of
such services. Sales of public utilities or public services which are subject
to the tax include, but are not limited to, sales of natural or artificial gas,
electricity, water, ice, steam or any other utility or public service except
transportation, sewer, garbage collection or sanitation services.
B. Low-Income Residential Utility Customer
Tax Exemption
1. DEFINITIONS
(a) The term "income" means gross income less
deductions allowed by law for expenses. It shall also include alimony, support
money, cash public assistance and relief, the gross amount of any pension or
annuity (including all monetary retirement benefits from whatever source
derived, including but not limited to railroad retirement benefits, all
payments received under the Federal Social Security Act, and veterans'
disability pensions), all dividends and interest from whatever source derived
not included in gross income, worker's compensation, and the gross amount of
"loss of time insurance." Provided, however, the term "income" shall not
include gifts from nongovernmental sources, or surplus food or other relief in
kind supplied by a governmental agency. In the case of a claimant who is a
World War I veteran or the widow of such veteran, the term "income" shall not
include federal and/or state retirement, pension, disability, railroad
retirement or social security benefits.
(b) The term "household income" means the
combined income received by members of a household during a calendar
year.
(c) The term "household"
means an individual and, if applicable, his or her spouse, (d) The term
"electric utility" means any electric utility, cooperative corporation created
or existing under the authority of Ark. Code Ann. §
23-18-301 et
seq. or a municipally-owned electric utility.
2.
(a) The
sale of the first 500 kilowatt hours of electricity per month to each
residential customer whose household income does not exceed twelve thousand
dollars ($12,000.00) per year shall be exempt from the Arkansas Gross Receipts
Tax and all other State excise taxes which would otherwise be levied thereon,
(b) The total franchise taxes
billed to each residential customer whose household income does not exceed
twelve thousand dollars ($12,000.00) per year shall be exempt from the Arkansas
Gross Receipts Tax and all other State excise taxes which would otherwise be
levied thereon.
3 . The
exemption provided herein shall apply to sales by all electric utilities
operating in the State of Arkansas.
4. Customers qualifying for the exemption
provided herein shall notify the electric utility providing service to them of
their intent to claim the exemption on forms provided by the Commissioner of
Revenues for the State of Arkansas. The exemption must be claimed by March 1 of
the year following the year in which the customer's income did not exceed
$12,000. Once the exemption is claimed, no further application is required. The
exemption continues from year to year until the customer becomes
disqualified.
5. A customer becomes
disqualified for the exemption when the customer's household income for a
calendar year exceeds $12,000.00. The customer must notify the electric utility
of their ineligibility on or before March 1 of the year following the year
during which the household income exceeded $12,000.00. This notification must
be made on forms provided by the Commissioner.
6. Any customer who fails to notify the
electric utility of their ineligibility and continues to benefit from the tax
exemption shall be liable for the amount of the tax exemption received after
March 1 of the year during which notice of ineligibility should have been
given.
7. Customers who change
electric utilities must notify the new electric utility of their intent to
claim the exemption provided herein by submitting to the new utility another
claim form provided by the Commissioner of Revenues.
8. When submitting the claim form for the
purpose of claiming this exemption, the income listed shall be that which was
received by the customer's household during the preceding calendar
year.
9. The claim forms may be
obtained by the Claimant directly from the Commissioner of Revenues upon
request, and supplies of the forms will also be furnished to the electric
utility companies. The electric utility companies are authorized to make copies
of the forms to furnish to their customers.
10. Every electric utility shall, on each
Sales Tax Report which it submits to the Arkansas Department of Finance and
Administration, indicate the amount of exemptions provided its customers
hereunder in the space designated "Other Legal Deductions" on such Sales Tax
Report.
11. Every electric utility
shall keep and maintain all claim forms submitted by customers claiming the
exemption provided herein and shall make the same available for examination by
the Commissioner of Revenues.. Such records shall be preserved for a period of
three (3) years and shall be open to examination by the Commissioner at any
reasonable time.
GR-7.
SERVICES SUBJECT TO TAX-TELEPHONE
AND TELEGRAPH COMPANIES:
A. Certain
services provided by telephone, telecommunications and telegraph companies are
subject to gross receipts tax. Those services are:
1. basic local service and rental charges
including:
a) installation and construction
charges, and
b) all service and
rental charges having any connection with the transmission of a message or
image;
2. long distance
service, including:
a) long distance messages
which originate and terminate within Arkansas;
b) interstate long distance messages which
originate within Arkansas, and terminate outside Arkansas and are billed to an
Arkansas telephone number or address;
c) interstate long distance messages which
originate outside Arkansas, terminate inside Arkansas and are billed to an
Arkansas telephone number or address.
d) all service and rental charges having any
connection with the transmission of a message or image;
3. customer access line charges billed to an
Arkansas telephone number. Only access line charges associated with obtaining
access to a long distance network for a customer or end user are taxable.
Charges for long distance network access or other services provided to
telephone, telegraph or telecommunications companies which enable the company
to provide telecommunications service to customers or end users are not
taxable.
B. The
following services are exempt from tax:
1. Any
interstate private communications service which is not accessible by the
public;
2. Any interstate service
which allows access to private telephone lines and which is not accessible by
the public; or
3. Any
interstate-wide area telecommunications service or other similar service which
entitles the subscriber to make or receive an unlimited number of
communications to or from persons having telecommunications service in a
specified area which is outside the state in which the station provided with
this service is located. An example of this service is a WATS line.
GR-8.
SERVICES
SUBJECT TO TAX-LODGING: The service of furnishing rooms to transient
guests by hotels, motels, apartment hotels, lodging houses and tourist camps is
subject to gross receipts tax. These services are subject to the tax if the
consumer of the services rents the accommodations on less than a month to month
basis and the accommodations are not the consumer's regular place of abode.
Mere rental of meeting rooms is not subject to the tax.
GR-9.
SERVICES SUBJECT TO TAX-TAXABLE
SERVICES:
A. Service of, addition to or
the service of alteration, cleaning, refinishing, replacement and repair of the
following items of tangible personal property are subject to the tax: motor
vehicles, aircraft, farm machinery and farm implements, motors of all kinds,
tires, batteries, boats, electrical appliances, and electrical devices,
furniture, rugs including carpets, upholstery, household appliances, television
and radio, jewelry, watches, clocks, engineering instruments, medical
instruments and surgical instruments, machinery of all kinds, bicycles, office
machines, office equipment, shoes, tin and sheet metal, mechanical tools and
shop equipment. (But see GR-30, GR-38.2 and GR-57)
B. The tax applies to the enumerated services
performed on the above items whether or not the items are affixed to real
property.
C. The sale of
maintenance agreements, service contracts or other written agreements to
perform taxable services in the future for a specified period and a fixed price
are subject to gross receipts tax. The total cost of the contract is taxable if
any services to be performed are taxable.
GR-9.1.
SERVICES SUBJECT TO
TAX-TELEVISION:
The following services are subject to Gross Receipts Tax:
A. The service of cable television, community
antenna television, and any and all other distribution of television, video, or
radio services with or without the use of wires provided to subscribers or
paying customers or users, including all service charges and rental charges,
whether for basic service, premium channels, or other special service, and
including installation and repair service charges and any other charges having
any connection with the providing of the said services.
B. The tax levied by this section does not
apply to services purchased by radio or television companies for use in
providing their services.
GR-10.
SERVICES SUBJECT TO TAX-PRINTING
AND PHOTOGRAPHY:
A. The tax must be
collected and remitted on the service of printing of all kinds, types and
characters, including the service of overprinting. All businesses engaged in
providing such services, including job printers and others, must collect and
remit the applicable tax upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from
providing such services.
B. The tax
applies to the service of photography of all kinds.
GR-11.
SALES OF TICKETS OR ADMISSIONS
TO PLACE OF AMUSEMENT:
A. The gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from all sales of tickets or admissions to
places of amusement, or to athletic, entertainment or recreational events are
subject to the tax. Fees for the privilege of having access to or the use of
amusement, entertainment, athletic or recreational facilities, including free
or complimentary passes, tickets, dues, fees or admissions are subject to the
tax; except such sales by municipalities are exempt. (See GR-4)
B. Membership dues which are paid on a
regular basis by members of a club solely for the privilege of membership are
not subject to the tax. All admissions or fees paid by members for the
privilege of having access to certain facilities (e.g. green fees or equipment
use charges) are subject to tax. Tickets or admissions purchased by members for
the purpose of having access to special entertainment events, even though these
events may be held on a regular basis, are also subject to the tax regardless
of who collects the ticket or admission purchase money.
GR-12.
SALE OF MOTOR VEHICLES, TRAILERS
AND SEMITRAILERS:
A. GENERAL
INFORMATION
All sales of new and used motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers
are subject to sales or use tax. The tax is to be collected as follows:
1. Tax due on vehicles and trailers which are
required by Arkansas law to be registered and licensed for use on public
streets and highways shall be paid by the purchaser at the time of registration
and application for certification of title. Sellers of trailers are not
required to collect tax.
2. For
purposes of this regulation, motor vehicles which are not required by Arkansas
law to be registered and licensed for use on public streets and highways are:
1) mopeds, motorcycles, and motor-driven
cycles which are designed or manufactured exclusively for competition or
off-road use, and
2) three and
four-wheel, all-terrain cycles and motorized bicycles.
3. Tax due on the sale of mopeds,
motorcycles, and motor driven cycles which are designed or manufactured
exclusively for competition or off-road use is to be collected by the seller on
the full purchase price without regard to trade-in.
4. Tax due on the sale of three and
four-wheel, all-terrain cycles and motorized bicycles shall be collected by the
seller on the full purchase price without regard to trade-in unless the
provisions of GR-50 apply.
5. Tax
due on the sale of motorcycles and motor-driven cycles registered for street
use is to be paid by the purchaser at the time of registration and application
for certificate of title. However, when the motorcycle or motor-driven cycle
was sold in such a condition that it could not be licensed for street use and
sales tax was collected and remitted by the seller, upon the purchaser's
subsequent application for a license to operate the cycle upon the street, the
purchaser shall be entitled to a credit for the sales tax paid by the seller.
The purchaser shall present proper proof of such payment of sales tax at the
time of registration.
B.
CALCULATION OF TAX DUE
1. Motorized Vehicles
Required by Law to be Licensed and Registered
a. If the total gross receipts or gross
proceeds for the sale of a new or used motor vehicle or trailer is less than
$2,000.00, then the sale or use tax is not due on the vehicle or
trailer.
b. If the total gross
receipts or gross proceeds for the sale of a motor vehicle or trailer is
$2,000.00 or more, then sales or use tax will be due on the difference between
the total gross receipts or gross proceeds for the motor vehicle and any credit
resulting from the trade-in of any used motor vehicle or trailer.
c. The term "Gross Receipts" or "Gross
Proceeds" means the total amount of consideration for the sale of the motor
vehicle or trailer, whether the consideration is in money or otherwise and
including any manufacturer's or dealer's rebates and federal luxury excise tax,
without any deduction therefor on account of the cost of property sold, labor
service, interest paid by the retailer, losses or any expenses whatsoever.
Federal manufacturer's excise taxes are not a part of the "Gross Receipts" or
"Gross Proceeds" if the excise taxes are separately stated or separately billed
to the consumer. The term "Gross Receipts" or "Gross Proceeds" includes the
value of any property taken in lieu of or in addition to money as consideration
for a sale.
d. Local Tax: The local
sales or use tax levied by the city and county of the purchaser's residence
shall be due on the sale of the motor vehicle. A corporation or partnership is
a resident of any city and county in which it maintains an office or place of
business.
e. For all motor vehicles
and trailers purchased after November 3, 1989, no credit will be allowed for
sales or use taxes paid to another state on purchases of motor vehicles,
trailers or semitrailers which were first registered by the purchaser in
Arkansas.
f. Warranties: Sales or
use tax is due on the gross receipts or proceeds received for an extended
warranty on a new or used vehicle offered either by the manufacturer or the
dealer. When the extended warranty is purchased at the time the new or used
vehicle is sold, the price of the warranty is to be included in the total gross
receipts or proceeds on which tax is collected at the time of registration.
Effective May 1, 1991, used car dealers are no longer required to collect sales
tax on extended warranties on used vehicles when the warranty is sold at the
time the car is sold or prior to registration of the vehicle. Tax on used car
warranties is to be paid by the purchaser to the Director at the time of
registration. The dealer will be liable for sales tax on the warranty if the
warranty is sold at the same time as the vehicle but is billed to the customer
on a separate invoice. If the dealer or manufacturer sells a warranty on a new
or used car after the car has been registered, the dealer or manufacturer must
continue to collect sales tax on the warranty and local tax on these sales is
calculated at the rate of the city and county in which the sale
occurred.
g. Trade-in credit shall
be allowed only if the item taken in trade for the sale of a motor vehicle,
trailer or semi-trailer is a motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer.
2. Motor Vehicles Not Required to
be Licensed and Registered
a. The trade-in
deduction in Act 3 of 1991 does not apply to vehicles not required by Arkansas
law to be licensed and registered for use on public streets and highways, as
defined in paragraph A(2) of this regulation.
b. Local tax shall be calculated on sales of
vehicles not registered and licensed for use on public streets and highways at
the rate levied, if any, by the city and county in which the sale
occurred.
C.
TAXABLE TRANSACTIONS
1. A transaction is a
"sale" for purposes of imposing tax when possession or title to a motor vehicle
or trailer is transferred from the seller to the buyer for valuable
consideration.
2. Examples of
taxable "sales" include:
a. Sale by a
bankruptcy trustee of the debtor's vehicle or trailer;
b. Sale by the holder of a repairman's lien
arising under Ark. Code. Ann. §
18-45-201
et seq. to either a third party or to himself;
c. Sale by the executor or administrator of
an estate;
d. Sale by the owner for
consideration where the seller is unable to transfer title and the purchaser
must obtain an order quieting title to the vehicle and ordering the Department
to issue title to the purchaser.
3. Examples of non-taxable transfers include
transfer by:
a. Gift, where the donor and
recipient of the vehicle or trailer sign an affidavit attesting to the gift and
the donor paid sales or use tax at the time of purchase and registered the
vehicle in his own name;
b.
Inheritance or intestate succession, where the beneficiary provides the
Commissioner with a certified copy of a Probate Court order or other proof of
testamentary transfer;
c. Court
order, other than quiet title actions, where the prevailing party provides the
Commissioner with a certified copy of the order or decree ordering the
Commissioner to issue title;
d.
Repossession pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §
4-9-501 et
seq.;
e. Transfer of title by an
insured to the insurance carrier which paid the insured or a lienholder
replacement cost of a damaged motor vehicle or trailer.
D. PROOF OF VALUE
When a motor vehicle or trailer is sold or taken in trade, the taxpayer
shall provide to the Commissioner documented proof of the gross receipts or
gross proceeds or the value assigned to the traded-in item. Examples of
sufficient documents include:
1. Bill
of sale or financing contract signed by the seller and buyer separately stating
the total gross receipts or gross proceeds for the sale, value assigned to the
traded-in vehicle or trailer, description and vehicle identification number
(VIN) of the vehicle or trailer sold and vehicle or trailer
traded-in.
2. Affidavit signed by
the seller and the buyer stating the total gross receipts or gross proceeds for
the sale, value assigned to the traded-in vehicle or trailer, and description
and vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle or trailer sold and
vehicle or trailer traded-in.
3. If
the taxpayer is unable to provide sufficient documentation for either the total
gross receipts or gross proceeds for the sale of the vehicle or trailer or the
value of the traded-in vehicle or trailer, then the Commissioner may accept the
average retail value of the vehicle as stated in the current edition of the
NADA Official Used Car Guide.
E. EFFECTIVE DATES
The effective date of Act 3 of 1991 is May 1, 1991. For purposes of
determining whether a sale occurred before the effective date of Act 3 of 1991,
the date on the bill of sale, contract, or other documents provided by the
taxpayer controls.
GR-13.
SPECIAL RULES FOR USED MOTOR
VEHICLE, TRAILER AND SEMI-TRAILER DEALERS:
Used car dealers shall be entitled to purchase parts and accessories
exempt as sales for resale if the dealer is in the business of using the parts
for reconditioning or rebuilding dealer-owned motor vehicles for subsequent
sale. The dealer must hold a retail sales tax permit. The separate sale of
parts or accessories by the dealer to consumers is subject to tax and shall be
collected and reported by the dealer.
GR-13.1.
CREDIT OR REFUND FOR DEFECTIVE
VEHICLE: If any taxpayer purchases a new or used automobile which is so
defective that either the dealer or the manufacturer gives the taxpayer a full
cash refund or replaces the original automobile with another new or used
automobile, the amount of tax paid on the defective automobile may:
A. Be applied as credit upon the tax due from
the purchase or receipt of another automobile if the replacement automobile is
purchased within sixty (60) days after the date the dealer or manufacturer
agrees to replace the automobile or refund the purchase money; or
B. Be refunded to the customer if application
for the refund is made within sixty (60) days after the date the dealer or
manufacturer agrees to replace the automobile or refund the purchase money.
In order for the credit or refund to be allowed, the taxpayer must
present a written statement from the dealer or manufacturer stating that it has
replaced the automobile or refunded the purchase money to the person together
with the receipt evidencing payment of sales or use tax on the defective
automobile. The vehicle identification number (VIN) and the vehicle's date of
purchase must also appear on the statement from the dealer or
manufacturer.
GR-14.
SALE OF AIRCRAFT:
A. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Sales of new and used airplanes are
subject to sales or use tax. If gross receipts, sales, compensating (use) or
other similar tax has been legally paid by the taxpayer to another state, then
the taxpayer is entitled to credit for that tax. The taxpayer shall provide
sufficient proof of such tax payment before credit is allowed.
2. If the total gross receipts or gross
proceeds for the sale of new or used aircraft is less than $2,000.00, then
sales or use tax is not due.
B. DEFINITIONS
The term "gross receipts" or "gross proceeds" means the total amount of
consideration for the sale of the airplane whether the consideration is in
money or otherwise, without any deduction therefor on account of the cost of
the property sold, labor service performed, interest paid by the retailer,
losses or any expenses whatsoever. The term "gross receipts" or "gross
proceeds" includes the value of any property taken in lieu of or in addition to
money as consideration for a sale.
C. CALCULATION OF TAX DUE
If the seller takes used aircraft in trade as credit or part payment of
a sale of a new or used aircraft, tax shall be paid on the difference between
the total gross receipts or gross proceeds for the aircraft sold and credit
given for the traded-in aircraft. No trade-in credit will be allowed if an item
other than a used aircraft is taken in trade.
D. SALES TAX REPORTS
Every seller of an airplane is required to obtain a sales tax permit
and to collect tax from the purchaser. The seller is to report the sale as any
other taxpayer subject to the Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax laws. The seller is
to provide the Commissioner with the following information along with the
seller's regular sales tax report:
1.
Purchaser's name and address.
2.
Make, model, serial number and gross sales price of each aircraft
sold.
3. Make, model, serial number
and value assigned to any aircraft taken in trade as part payment on the sale
of a new or used aircraft.
4.
Amount of state and local tax collected from the purchaser.
5. Copies of invoices, sales tickets or bills
of sale concerning each aircraft sold and taken in trade. (If the invoice,
sales ticket or bill of sale contains the information required by this section,
then only the invoices, sales tickets, or bills of sale must accompany the
sales tax report.)
E.
RECORDS
The seller shall retain records reflecting the total gross receipts or
gross proceeds and description of each aircraft sold along with the value and
description of each aircraft taken in trade. If the seller's records are
inadequate or incomplete, the Commissioner may utilize any of the following for
purposes of determining sales tax liability:
1. Affidavit signed by the seller and
purchaser attesting to the sales price or trade-in value of the
aircraft.
2. Aircraft valuation
schedules prepared by the Assessment Coordination Division of the Arkansas
Public Service Commission.
3. Any
national trade publication generally accepted by aircraft dealers as accurately
reflecting current aircraft market value.
4. The higher of two appraisals prepared by
other aircraft dealers.
F. AIRCRAFT RENTAL
1. Any person engaged in the business of
selling aircraft in Arkansas who holds aircraft for resale in stock, may rent
or use the aircraft in a charter service operated by that person for a period
of one year from the date of purchase of the aircraft without remitting the tax
on the aircraft so used. When the aircraft is eventually sold, however, the tax
must be remitted at the time of sale. If the aircraft is sold within the one
year period, the tax shall be computed on the actual sale price of such
aircraft or the price paid for the aircraft by the seller, whichever is
greater. If a year passes and the rented or chartered aircraft has not been
sold, then the tax must be remitted by the person engaged in the business of
selling aircraft in Arkansas on his purchase price.
2. If an aircraft is rented by an aircraft
charter service with a pilot's service included, the rental of aircraft and
pilot service is a non-taxable service.
If the aircraft alone is rented for a period of less than 3 0 days,
then the sales tax and the 1% short term rental tax must be collected on the
rental charge. If the aircraft alone is rented for 3 0 days or more, then the
tax must be collected and remitted upon the rental charges unless the Arkansas
tax was paid on the purchase price of the aircraft.
G. NEWLY MANUFACTURED AIRCRAFT
On and after June 17, 1981, the gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of new aircraft manufactured or substantially completed
within the State of Arkansas shall not be subject to the gross receipts tax
when sold by the manufacturer or substantial completer to a purchaser for use
exclusively outside this state notwithstanding the fact that possession may be
taken in this state for the sole purpose of removing the aircraft from this
state under its own power.
H. EFFECTIVE DATES
For purposes of determining whether a sale occurred before May 1, 1991,
the effective date of Act 3 of 1991 (Ark. Code Ann. §§
26-52-510
and
26-53-126
) , the date on the bill of sale, contract, or other documents provided by the
taxpayer controls.
GR-15
SALE OF MOBILE HOMES AND HOUSE
TRAILERS:
A. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Sales of new and used mobile homes and
house trailers are subject to sales or use tax. If gross receipts, sales,
compensating (use) or other similar tax has been legally paid by the taxpayer
to another state, then the taxpayer is entitled to credit for that tax paid.
The taxpayer shall provide sufficient proof of such tax payment before credit
is allowed.
2. If the total gross
receipts or gross proceeds for the sale of a new or used mobile home or
trailer, other than a manufactured home, is less than $2,000.00, then sales or
use tax is not due.
3. If the total
gross receipts or gross proceeds for the sale of a new or used manufactured
home is less than $10,000.00, then sales or use tax is not due.
B. DEFINITIONS
1. A "manufactured home" is defined as a
structure, transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode,
is eight (8) feet or more in width, or forty (4 0) feet or more in length, or
when erected on site, is three hundred and twenty (320) or more square feet,
and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling
with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required
utilities. This term also includes any structure which meets all other
requirements except the size requirement and for which the manufacturer files a
certification required by the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development. See GR-44 for "custom manufactured home".
2. For purposes of this regulation, the terms
"mobile home" and "house trailer" mean a transportable structure other than a
manufactured home which is intended for use as a dwelling or place of business,
which may be licensed under Ark. Code Ann. §
27-14-1601
et seq. and which is excepted from licensing and registration by Ark. Code Ann.
§
27-14-703.
3. The term "gross receipts" or "gross
proceeds" means the total amount of consideration for the sale of the mobile
home, trailer or manufactured home whether the consideration is in money or
otherwise, without any deduction therefor on account of the cost of the
property sold, labor service performed, interest paid by the retailer, losses
or any expenses whatsoever. The term "gross receipts" or "gross proceeds"
includes the value of any property taken in lieu of or in addition to money as
consideration for a sale.
C. CALCULATION OF TAX DUE
If the seller takes a used mobile home, trailer, or manufactured home
in trade as credit or part payment of a sale of a new or used manufactured
home, mobile home or house trailer, tax shall be paid on the difference between
the total gross receipts or gross proceeds received for the mobile home or
trailer and any credit given for the traded-in manufactured home, mobile home
or house trailer. No trade-in credit will be allowed if an item other than a
used manufactured home, mobile home or house trailer is taken in trade.
D. SALES TAX REPORTS
Every seller of mobile homes or house trailers making sales from an
established business is required to obtain a sales tax permit and to collect
tax from the purchaser. The seller is to report the sale as any other taxpayer
subject to the Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax laws. The seller is to provide the
Commissioner with the following information along with the seller's regular
sales tax report:
1. Purchaser's name
and address.
2. Make, model, serial
number and gross sales price of each mobile home or house trailer
sold.
3. Make, model, serial number
and value assigned to any mobile home or house trailer taken in trade as part
payment on the sale of a new or used mobile home or house trailer.
4. Amount of state and local tax collected
from the purchaser.
5. Copies of
invoices, sales tickets or bills of sale concerning each mobile home or house
trailer sold and taken in trade. (If the invoice, sales ticket or bill of sale
contains the information required by 1, 2, 3 and 4, then only the invoices,
sales tickets or bills of sale must accompany the sales tax report.)
E. RECORDS
The seller shall retain records reflecting the total gross receipts or
gross proceeds received and a description of each mobile home or house trailer
sold along with the .value and description of each mobile home or house trailer
taken in trade. If the seller's records are inadequate or incomplete, the
Commissioner may utilize any of the following for purposes of determining sales
tax liability:
1. Affidavit signed by
the seller and purchaser attesting to the gross receipts or trade-in value of
the mobile home or house trailer.
2. Mobile home or house trailer valuation
schedules prepared by the Assessment Coordination Division of the Arkansas
Public Service Commission.
3. Any
national trade publication generally accepted by mobile home and house trailer
dealers as accurately reflecting current mobile home or house trailer market
value.
F. EFFECTIVE
DATES
For purposes of determining whether a sale occurred before May 1, 1991,
the effective date of Act 3 of 1991 (Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-504
), the date on the bill of sale, contract, or other documents provided by the
taxpayer controls.
GR-15.1.
NEW AND USED BOATS:
A. The gross
receipts tax applies to the sale of all new boats. No deduction for a traded-in
boat is allowed from the total consideration for the sale of a new boat when
calculating sales tax.
B. The gross
receipts tax applies to the sale of all used boats unless:
(1) The used property exemption of Ark. Code
Ann. §
26-52-401(22)
applies (See GR-50); or
(2) The
isolated sale exemption of Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-401(17)
applies. No deduction, for a traded-in boat is allowed from the total
consideration for the sale of a used boat when calculating sales
tax.
C. All persons in
the business of selling new or used boats shall collect the tax and remit it to
the Commissioner.
D. Boat sellers
are not required to collect the tax on sales of boat trailers. If the seller
sells a boat and trailer to his customer, he should separately state the sales
price of the trailer on the sales invoice.
GR-16.
RECEIPTS FROM CERTAIN
COIN-OPERATED AMUSEMENT MACHINES SUBJECT TO TAX:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the operation of coin-operated pinball machines, coin-operated
music machines; coin-operated mechanical or electronic games, and all other
similar devices are subject to the tax. Every person holding an Amusement
Machine Operator's License pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §
26-57-401 et
seq. must obtain a retail permit, and report and remit gross receipts
tax.
B. The tax shall be deemed to
be included in the charge for the use of the machine. Total gross receipts
shall be calculated by dividing the collected charges by the sum of one (1)
plus the state tax rate plus any local tax rates.
GR-17.
FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS SUBJECT TO
TAX - SPECIAL RULES: The gross receipts tax applies to the transmittal
of any order for flowers, floral arrangements, potted plants or any other
article common to the floral business. The term "transmittal" means any
communication by telegraph, telephone, or any other means of communication for
delivery of articles common to the floral business to a point either in or out
of Arkansas.
GR-18.
WHAT
CONSTITUTES GROSS RECEIPTS - EXAMPLES
A. Freight or Transportation Charges: All
freight or transportation charges are part of the gross receipts or gross
proceeds on which the tax must be collected and remitted unless the freight
charges are billed directly to the purchaser by a carrier other than the
seller.
B. Used Merchandise: The
gross receipts derived from the sale of used tangible personal property are
subject to the tax except as noted below. (See also GR-50, GR-51, GR-13, GR-14,
and GR-15).
1. Taxpayers may deduct the value
of any returned merchandise from gross receipts on the monthly report if the
full purchase price and tax have been refunded to the customer. Sufficient
records must be kept to establish that this requirement has been met.
2. Property which has been repossessed or
voluntarily returned without a full refund of the purchase price cannot be
classified as returned merchandise and upon its resale, the taxpayer should
collect and remit the tax on the gross proceeds derived from the resale. Where
the records of any business are kept so as to distinguish sales of repossessed
merchandise from other sales then upon the resale of repossessed merchandise,
the amount of tax to be remitted is the difference between the amount of tax
previously remitted on the original sale and the amount of tax computed on the
total price realized from both the original sales and resale of such
merchandise.
C.
Installation charges: If a seller is engaged in the established business of
selling and installing tangible personal property in Arkansas, and the sales
price of the property includes the installation charges as a part of the total
sale price, the gross receipts tax should be collected on the total sale price.
If the installation charges are separately stated on the invoice or bill of
sale, tax is not due on the separate installation charge. Charges for
installation services which are taxable under GR-9 or GR-7 of these regulations
are taxable even if they are separately stated.
D. Withdrawal from stock: If seller has a
retail permit and purchases goods from his suppliers without paying tax to
those suppliers claiming the 'sale for resale" exemption and on various
occasions seller withdraws certain merchandise from his stock and gives the
merchandise to his customers, prospective customers, or uses the merchandise
himself, the value of this merchandise is a part of seller's gross receipts or
gross proceeds and seller must remit the tax on the total including enhanced
cost of the merchandise at the time of the withdrawal.
E. Warranty sales: Automobiles. See
GR-12.
F. Warranty sales:
Appliances. If a seller is engaged in the business of selling and installing
refrigerators or other appliances to consumers, and the manufacturer of the
appliance offers purchasers an extended warranty for a consideration which may
be purchased at the time the appliance is purchased or at a later date, the
seller must collect sales tax on the price of the warranty whenever it is
sold.
G. Membership Fees: A
bookstore which sells books from an established business in Arkansas has also
organized a book club. In order to become a member of the club, the bookstore's
customers pay a yearly membership fee. In return for this fee, the club members
may purchase books for ten percent (10%) off the listed store price. Neither
the membership fee nor the value of the discount should be considered gross
receipts or gross proceeds.
H.
Manufacturer's Coupons: A manufacturer issues a coupon entitling customers to
25 cents off the retail price of a product. The manufacturer will reimburse
retailers who honor the coupons. The 25 cents received by the retailer from the
manufacturer is part of gross receipts or gross proceeds. The retailer must
collect and remit the tax on the total amount received from the customer and
the manufacturer.
I. Retailer
Coupons: Retailer issues a coupon entitling customers to 25 cents off the price
of a product. Retailer will not be reimbursed by any third party. The 25 cents
is not part of gross receipts or gross proceeds and the tax is due only on the
amount paid by the customer for the product not including the coupon.
J. Bad Debts: Taxpayers may deduct bad debts
from the total amount upon which the tax is calculated. A "bad debt" means any
portion of a debt for an amount which a taxpayer has reported as taxable, which
the taxpayer legally claims as a bad debt deduction for federal income tax
purposes. Bad debts include, but are not limited to, worthless checks,
worthless credit card payments and uncollectible credit accounts. Bad debts do
not include financing charges and interest, uncollectible amounts on property
that remain in the possession of the taxpayer or vendor until the full purchase
price is paid, expenses incurred in attempting to collect any debt, debts sold
or assigned to third parties for collection and repossessed property. Bad debts
must be deducted within three (3) years of the date of the sale for which the
debt was incurred. If a deduction is taken for a bad debt and the taxpayer
subsequently collects the debt in whole or in part, the tax on the amount so
collected shall be paid and reported on the next return date after the
collection. Any deduction taken or refund paid, which is attributed to bad
debts, shall not include interest.
K. None of the above examples should be
construed to limit the definition of "gross receipts" or "gross
proceeds".
GR-19.
PERSONS REQUIRED TO COLLECT AND REMIT TAX - PAWNBROKERS AND SELLERS OF USED
TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY:
Pawnbrokers and sellers of used tangible personal property are sellers
of taxable goods and must obtain a permit. All sales made by pawnbrokers or
other sellers of used property are taxable sales. (See GR-50 for exemption
relative to trade-in property.)
GR-20.
LEASES AND RENTALS:
A. General: Persons in the established
business of leasing or renting articles of tangible personal property to
consumers are sellers and must collect and remit tax upon the gross receipts or
gross proceeds derived from the lease or rental of the property.
B. Long-term Leases of Tangible Personal
Property (Except for Motor Vehicles):
1. For
long-term leases of tangible personal property, except for motor vehicles, the
lessor may either purchase the property tax-free as a sale for resale or pay
Arkansas sales and use tax on the purchase. If the lessor purchases property
intended for subsequent lease without paying Arkansas gross receipts or use
tax, he must establish the requirements necessary for a sale-for-resale
exemption. See GR-53. At the time of purchase, the lessor must elect to pay the
tax on property intended for long term lease or purchase the property tax free
as a sale for resale. This election may not be changed after the
purchase.
2. If the lessor of
property paid Arkansas gross receipts or use tax on the purchase of the item,
the lessor is not required to collect gross receipts tax on subsequent
long-term leases of the property. A "long-term lease" means a lease of 3 0 days
or more to a single consumer.
3.
Repair parts purchased by the lessor to keep the leased property in working
order are taxable.
4. See GR-38.3
for exemption for adaptive medical equipment.
C. Long-term Leases of Motor Vehicles:
1. Leases of motor vehicles for more than 3 0
days are subject to Arkansas gross receipts tax if the lessor of the motor
vehicle has not paid Arkansas gross receipts or use tax or registered the
vehicle in Arkansas.
2. Motor
vehicles which are registered in Arkansas and for which Arkansas gross receipts
or use tax has been paid or credited may be leased long term, tax free. Lessors
of motor vehicles may not purchase motor vehicles tax free as a sale for
resale.
D. Short-term
Rentals of Tangible Property (Except for Motor Vehicles):
1. In addition to the state and local sales
tax, a one percent (1%) short-term rental tax is to be collected by the lessor
on short-term rentals of tangible personal property regardless of whether
Arkansas gross receipts or use tax was paid by the lessor at the time of
purchase. A 'short-term rental" means a rental or lease of tangible personal
property for a period of less than thirty (30) days. The tax does not apply to
rentals of diesel trucks for commercial shipping; farm machinery and equipment;
or motor vehicles required to be licensed for highway use. The tax also does
not apply to short-term rentals of tangible property which are subject to the
two percent (2%) tourism tax. See Ark. Code Ann. § 26-52-1001 et
seq.
2. A lessor may purchase
property intended for subsequent lease without paying Arkansas gross receipts
or use tax if the seller establishes the requirements necessary for a
sale-for-resale exemption. See GR-53.
E. Short-term Rentals of Motor Vehicles:
1. In addition to the state and local sales
tax, every person in the business of renting licensed motor vehicles must
collect four and one-half percent (4%%) rental vehicle tax on short-term
rentals of motor vehicles. A 'short-term rental" means a lease or rental of a
motor vehicle for a period of less than thirty (30) days. The tax does not
apply to rentals of diesel trucks for commercial shipping, or farm machinery or
equipment.
2. This tax applies
whether or not Arkansas gross receipts or use tax was paid when the vehicle was
registered.
3. Credit:
(a) The lessor is entitled to retain any
rental vehicle tax collected as a credit against the amount of Arkansas sales
or use tax paid on rental vehicles previously purchased. Tax collected in
excess of the gross receipts or use tax previously paid on rental vehicles
shall be reported and paid to the Commissioner,
(b) The lessor shall be entitled to the
rental vehicle credit if:
1) the vehicle was
purchased on or after July 1, 1989;
2) the vehicle is licensed in
Arkansas;
3) the vehicle is used
exclusively for short-term rentals;
4) the lessor files with the Sales and Use
Tax Section a copy of the sales or use tax receipt for the vehicle.
F. Rental of
Vehicle with Operator: If tangible personal property is rented with an
operator's services included, the rental of the property and operator service
is a nontaxable service, provided that the service alone would have been exempt
from tax. If, however, the property alone is rented, then the sales and rental
tax shall apply as set out in paragraphs A through E above.
GR-21.
PERSONS REQUIRED TO
COLLECT AND REMIT TAX - SPECIFIC BUSINESSES - CONTRACTORS:
Contractors defined by GR-3 (L) are deemed to be consumers or users of
all tangible personal property which they purchase for use in the performance
of a contract and should pay the tax at the time of purchase.
In some cases, however, a person ordinarily performing services as a
contractor acts as a seller of tangible personal property or a person
performing taxable services and must collect the tax from the consumer.
A person who performs services as a contractor in connection with the
construction, erection or substantial modification of any building or other
improvement or structure affixed to real property (including tenant finish work
for tenants of the structures) will not collect the tax on such contracting
services. However, if the person performs service work involving the
maintenance or repair of items and not as a contractor (for example, by
performing repair services on an air conditioning unit, whether or not the unit
is affixed to real property) , then the person must collect the tax from the
consumer.
Materials purchased for use in construction contracts that become
recognizable components of the completed project are taxable at a rate of four
and one-half percent (4%%) . These materials are exempt from the additional
one-half percent (%%) sales and use tax levied by Act 3 of 1991 if the
following conditions are satisfied:
A.
Qualifications: Before materials used in construction contracts 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 material must be
purchased prior to January 1, 1997.
4. The seller must keep adequate records to
identify all exempt materials sold. 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 of
Entitlement to Exemption from Sales and Use Tax Increase for Certain Contracts"
form which will be provided upon request by the Revenue Division of the
Department of Finance and Administration. The construction contractor shall
furnish a completed copy of the form to each seller of exempt property for each
contract. The contractor shall also mail a copy of the form to:
Office of Field Audit Administration
P. 0. Box 1272
Room 112
Little Rock, AR 72203
6. The invoice reflecting the sale of exempt
materials 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.
B. Definitions: For the purpose 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 where the contractor has the right 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" means tangible personal
property used or purchased by contractors.
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(a)(4)
) or "withdrawals for use" (Ark. Code Ann. §
26-53-102(5)
). Where a construction contractor claims the exemption 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 Ark. Code Ann. §
26-53-102(5)
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 5,
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 percent (%%) 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 do so will result in the exemptions being disallowed and
applicable tax, penalty and interest being assessed to the taxpayer.
GR-22.
PERSONS REQUIRED TO
COLLECT AND REMIT TAX - SPECIFIC BUSINESS - FUNERAL HOMES AND FUNERAL
DIRECTORS:
A. Funeral homes or funeral
directors must collect and pay the tax upon the gross receipts or gross
proceeds of all sales of tangible personal property sold by them in connection
with the services they offer.
B.
Where the funeral home or funeral director separately states the charges for
items of tangible personal property on his bill or invoice, then the tax should
be collected and remitted on the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from
the sale of the items of tangible personal property.
C. Where a corpse is shipped by one funeral
home located in Arkansas to another funeral home located in Arkansas, the tax
must be collected and remitted on the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived
from the sale of the casket, shipping case, shipping box and freight, by the
selling funeral home. If, however, the body is shipped outside the State of
Arkansas, then see GR-5 for applicable rules.
D. Funeral homes and funeral directors are
considered the consumers of preparation room supplies and equipment, display
room equipment, chapel furnishings and equipment, and cemetery equipment, and
must pay the tax to the suppliers of these goods at the time of
purchase.
E. When tangible personal
property is sold through a pre-paid funeral plan, the funeral home or funeral
director must remit gross receipts tax when the property is provided to the
customer. The tax shall be calculated at the rate in effect when the property
is provided.
GR-23.
RADIO, VIDEO AND TELEVISION TAPES AND FILMS: Retail sales of
radio, video and television tapes and films containing commercial or other
messages are subject to the tax. Producers must collect and remit the tax from
their clients or customers on the total receipts from the production of tapes
and films without deducting any production costs attributable to the tapes or
films. The sale of a tape or film is complete when the client is billed, even
though the seller may retain possession of the tape or film, or may deliver it
directly to a radio or television station for the convenience of the client.
The tax does not apply to the sale of broadcasting time, or to any other
service which does not contribute to the production of an article of tangible
personal property by the seller.
GR-24.
PERSONS REQUIRED TO COLLECT AND
REMIT TAX - SPECIFIC BUSINESSES - JOB PRINTERS:
Job printers must collect and remit tax upon the gross proceeds derived
from the furnishing of such a service to a consumer without any deduction
therefrom on account of any costs or expenses incurred in the furnishing of
such services.
Example: Seller prints business cards, stationery, and envelopes for
sale to consumers. Seller also sells these items to retailers who shall resell
the items printed. Seller must collect and remit the tax upon the gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of the items to
consumers.
GR-25.
PERSONS REQUIRED TO COLLECT AND REMIT TAX - SPECIFIC BUSINESS - SELLERS OF
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE:
A. A seller of computer hardware and computer
software is engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property and
must collect and remit tax upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived
from the sales and/or rental of the hardware and software without any deduction
therefor on account of any costs or expenses incurred in producing, selling or
renting the hardware or software.
B. Examples of hardware referred to above are
the computer itself, memory banks, sending and receiving terminals. Examples of
software referred to above are tapes, disks, cards or other devices or
materials which contain instructions for a computer and dictate different
operations or functions to be performed by the computer.
C. Computers are machinery or electrical
devices and any services performed on computers are therefor taxable services.
Exceptions are the parts and labor provided under a warranty contract if the
warranty is included in the purchase price of the computer and no additional
charge is made for warranty parts or labor. Rentals and leases of computer
hardware and software are considered as a sale for tax purposes.
D. The sale of a service contract covering
taxable repair services to computers is taxable.
GR-26.
PERSONS REQUIRED TO COLLECT AND
REMIT TAX - SPECIFIC BUSINESSES - SELLERS OF BEER, WINE, LIQUOR AND OTHER
INTOXICATING BEVERAGES:
A. All sellers
of beer, wine, liquor and other intoxicating beverages must collect and remit
the tax upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of
those items to the consumer whether the sale is by the bottle or by the drink
for off-premises or on-premises consumption.
B. An establishment which charges an entrance
fee or "cover charge" must collect and remit the tax on the gross receipts or
gross proceeds received by it or any other person as a result of the entrance
fee or "cover charge" in addition to the collection and remittance of tax upon
the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from all sales of tangible
personal property. Dues or fees paid for membership in a club are not subject
to sales tax.
C. Ten Percent (10%)
Supplemental Tax:
1. In addition to the gross
receipts tax, holders of mixed drink permits (except private club permits)
issued by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division must collect and remit the
ten percent (10%) supplemental gross receipts tax on all sales of alcoholic
beverages except beer and wine. Before beginning business, permittees must
furnish the Commissioner a cash bond, corporate surety bond, letter of credit
or certificate of deposit assigned to the State of Arkansas in the following
amounts: maximum capacity permit -$10,000.00; minimum capacity permit -
$5,000.00.
2. In addition to the
gross receipts tax, holders of private club permits issued by the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Division must collect and remit the 10% supplemental gross
receipts tax upon all charges to members for the preparation and serving of
mixed drinks or for the cooling and serving of beer and wine. A private club
which also has a beer permit should collect the state and local sales tax but
not the ten percent (10%) supplemental tax on its sales of beer. Before
commencing operations permittees must furnish the Commissioner a cash bond,
corporate surety bond, letter of credit or certificate of deposit assigned to
the State of Arkansas in the amount of $10,000.00.
D. Four Percent (4%) Supplemental Tax:
1. In addition to the gross receipts tax and
ten percent
(10%) supplemental tax, holders of mixed drink permits must collect and
remit the four percent (4%) supplemental gross receipts tax on all sales of
alcoholic beverages except beer and wine.
2. In addition to the gross receipts tax and
ten percent
(10%) supplemental tax, holders of private club permits must collect
and remit the four percent (4%) supplemental gross receipts tax upon all
charges to members for the preparation and serving of mixed drinks only.
E. In addition to the
gross receipts tax, sellers of alcoholic beverages to consumers for
off-premises consumption must collect and remit the three percent (3%)
alcoholic beverage excise tax on sales of all wine and liquor. Sales of beer
are not subject to the excise tax.
F. The ten percent (10%) supplemental tax,
four precent (4%) supplemental tax and three percent (3%) liquor excise tax
must be reported and remitted to the Department at the same time as the four
and one-half percent (4%%) gross receipts tax, on forms provided by the
Department.
G. All wines sold in
the State of Arkansas for use as sacramental wine shall be exempt from all
taxes levied on wine by the State of Arkansas. Each container of sacramental
wine sold in the state shall have attached to it a decal containing the words
"Sacramental Wine." This decal shall be provided by and attached to the
containers by wineries selling sacramental wine in this state.
GR-27.
PERSONS REQUIRED TO
COLLECT AND REMIT TAX - SPECIFIC BUSINESS - WHOLESALERS AND JOBBERS:
Wholesalers and jobbers must collect and remit the tax on the gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from all sales to consumers or sales to
retailers who do not have valid permits even though the sales are in wholesale
quantities, or sales to retailers who are not regularly in the business of
reselling the articles purchased.
GR-28.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -SALES OF
ITEMS PURCHASED WITH FOOD STAMPS:
A.
Gross receipts and gross proceeds derived from the sale of tangible personal
property lawfully purchased with food stamps or food coupons issued in
accordance with the Food Stamp Act of 1964, and the gross receipts or gross
proceeds derived from the sale of tangible personal property lawfully purchased
with food instruments or vouchers issued under the Special Supplemental Food
Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in accordance with Section 17 of
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, are exempt from the Gross Receipts
Tax. If consideration other than food stamps, food coupons, food instrument, or
vouchers is used in any sale, that portion of the sale shall be fully
taxable.
B. Gross receipts and
gross proceeds derived from the sale of food purchased through bids under the
WIC program are exempt from the Gross Receipts Tax.
C. The tax exemption provided by this
Regulation shall expire if the exemption is no longer required for full
participation in the food stamp or WIC program.
GR-29.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - FUEL OIL,
MOTOR FUEL, MOTOR OIL, LUBRICANTS, CRUDE OIL, AND AUTOMOBILE PARTS:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from sales of motor fuel or special motor fuel are exempt from the tax
if the motor fuel tax or special motor fuel tax has been paid to the State of
Arkansas. The gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from sales of fuel oil,
motor oil and lubricants are subject to tax.
B. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from sales of unprocessed crude oil are exempt from the tax.
C. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of motor fuel or special motor fuel to the owners or
operators of motor buses operated on designated streets according to regular
schedule, under municipal franchise and which are used for municipal
transportation purposes are exempt from the tax.
D. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from sales of special fuel or petroleum products for consumption
by-vessels, barges, other commercial watercraft and railroads are exempt from
the tax. For purposes of this subsection the term "vessel" shall mean and
describe any motor driven watercraft used for commercial purposes for the
transportation of tangible property or persons on the rivers, lakes and
navigable streams of Arkansas.
E.
That portion of the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of
automobile parts which constitute "core charges" which are received for the
purpose of securing a trade-in for the article purchased is exempt from the tax
except that when the article is not traded in, then the tax is due on the "core
charge".
GR-30.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - CERTAIN LABOR SERVICES EXEMPT FROM TAX:
A. Any person who. per forms, taxable labor
as described in Ark.
Code Ann. §
26-52-301
(3}(C)(i) and GR-9 for any other person who holds a retail permit need not
collect and remit tax upon labor services performed for that person holding the
retail permit if, and only if, the labor is to be charged to, and the tax
collected from, the ultimate consumer by the person purchasing the taxable
labor.
Example: Seller operates an automobile paint and body shop. Retailer,
an automobile dealer, contracts with Seller to repair and paint automobiles for
those consumers to whom Retailer has sold automobiles. Retailer performs the
necessary engine repairs to the damaged automobiles but contracts with Seller
to perform the body and paint work. If Retailer bills the consumer for all work
performed by both Seller and Retailer, and collects the applicable tax on the
work, then Seller need not collect tax from Retailer.
B. The tax does not apply to the sale of
service provided by coin-operated car washes where the car-washing equipment is
activated by the insertion of a coin or coins into a slot or receptacle and
where the labor of washing the exterior of the car or motor vehicle is
performed solely by the customer or by mechanical equipment.
C. The tax does not apply to the sale of
services performed on watches and clocks which are received by mail or common
carrier from outside this State and which, after the service is performed, are
returned by mail or common carrier, or in the repairman's own conveyance, to
points outside this State.
D. The
tax does not apply to the sale of repair or maintenance services of railroad
parts, railroad cars and equipment brought into the State of Arkansas solely
and exclusively for the purpose of being repaired, refurbished, modified, or
converted within this State. The tax does apply to any parts, materials, or
supplies purchased in the repair, refurbishing, conversion or modification of
railroad parts, railroad cars, and equipment.
E. The gross proceeds or gross receipts
derived from the repair or refurbishing of telephone instruments are exempt if
the instruments are sent into Arkansas for repair and then shipped out of
Arkansas to the state of origin.
F.
The gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the repair or remanufacture
of industrial metal rollers is exempt from tax if:
A. The rollers have a remanufactured,
nonmetallic material covering on all or part of the roller surface,
and,...
B. The rollers are brought
into Arkansas solely and exclusively for the purpose of repair or
remanufacture, and,
C. The rollers
are shipped back to their state of origin after repair or remanufacture.
GR-30.1.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX
- REPAIR OF COMMERCIAL JET AIRCRAFT:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the alteration, addition, cleaning, refinishing, replacement or
repair of commercial jet aircraft, commercial jet aircraft components or
commercial jet aircraft subcomponents are exempt from sales tax.
B. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of parts or other tangible personal property which is
incorporated into or becomes a part of commercial jet aircraft, commercial jet
aircraft components or commercial jet aircraft subcomponents are exempt from
sales or use tax.
C. "Commercial
jet aircraft" means any commercial, military, private or other turbine or
turbojet aircraft having a certified maximum take-off weight of more than
12,500 pounds.
GR-31.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - SPECIFIC
ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT WHEN THEY PURCHASE TAXABLE GOODS OR SERVICES:
Certain specified organizations or groups have been exempted from the
tax when they purchase tangible personal property or taxable services from
sellers. Sellers of tangible personal property or taxable services need not
collect the tax upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the
sales of tangible personal property or services to the following:
A. The Boy's Clubs of America or any local
council or organization thereof;
B.
The Girl's Clubs of America or any local council or organization
thereof;
C. The Poets' Roundtable
of Arkansas;
D. The Boy Scouts of
America or any of the Scout Councils located in Arkansas;
E. The Girl Scouts of the United States of
America or any of the Scout Councils located in Arkansas;
F. U. S. Governmental agencies;
G. 4-H Clubs and FFA Clubs located in
Arkansas;
H. The Arkansas 4-H
Foundation, the Arkansas Future Farmers of America Foundation and the Arkansas
Future Farmers of America Association;
I. Orphans' homes or childrens' homes located
in Arkansas which are not operated for profit and which are operated by a
church, religious organization or other benevolent, charitable association;
J. Public Housing Authorities
organized pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §
14-169-201 et
sea.;
K. Regional Water
Distribution Districts organized pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §
14-116-101 et
sea.;
L. The Arkansas Country Music
Hall of Fame Board;
M. The American
Red Cross;
N. Humane Societies not
operated for a profit and organized under Ark. Code Ann. §
20-19-101 et
sea, for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
O. The rental or lease of specialized
equipment used in the filming of a motion picture which qualifies for the tax
incentives provided by Ark. Code Ann. §
26-4-201 et
seq.
Sellers of tangible personal property or taxable services should refer
to Regulation GR-74 in order to determine the necessary documentation for the
purpose of claiming the exemption.
GR-32.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - DISABLED
AND BLIND VETERANS:
A. The gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from sales of motor vehicles licensed for
use on the highway and motor vehicle adaptive equipment to disabled veterans
who have purchased the vehicles or the equipment with the financial aid of the
United States Veterans Administration pursuant to the provisions of Title 38,
Section 1901 through 1905 of the United States Code are exempt from the tax. An
official letter from the Veterans Administration verifying this fact will be
accepted as proof of entitlement to this exemption.
B. Gross receipts and gross proceeds derived
from the sale of new automobiles to a veteran of the United States Armed
Services who is blind as the result of a service connected injury shall be
exempt from the Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax. This exemption shall apply only to
those persons who furnish the Department of Finance and Administration with a
statement from the Veterans Administration certifying that such individual is a
veteran of the United States Armed Services and has been blinded as the result
of a service connected injury. This statement shall be supplied to the
Department upon application for a vehicle license. This exemption shall be
available only on the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of
one (1) new or used automobile every two (2) years to a veteran who complies
with the requirements of this Section. As used herein, "automobile" means a
passenger automobile or pickup truck but does not include trucks with a maximum
gross load in excess of three-quarters of a ton and does not include any
trailer.
GR-32.1
EXEMPTIONS
FROM TAX - ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS SOLD TO STEEL MILLS:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of electricity and natural gas to qualified manufacturers
of steel for use in connection with the steel mill are exempt.
B. "Qualified manufacturer of steel" means a
natural person, company or corporation engaged in the manufacturer, refinement
or processing of steel and more than 50% of the electricity or natural gas
consumed by the manufacturer is used either:
1. to power an electric arc furnace or
furnaces, continuous casting equipment, or rolling mill equipment in connection
with melting, continuous casting, or rolling of steel; or,
2. in the preheating of steel for processing
through a rolling mill.
GR-33.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - FOODSTUFFS
SOLD TO GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES:
The gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of food to
governmental agencies for free distribution to any public, penal or
eleemosynary institution or for free distribution to poor and needy individuals
are exempt from the tax.
For purposes of this regulation the following definitions shall
apply:
A. The term "governmental
agencies" shall mean any agency or department of the United States, the State
of Arkansas, counties, cities or towns or school districts. "Governmental
agencies" does not include a private nonprofit organization funded wholly or in
part by public monies.
B. The term
"public institution" shall mean any institution operated, or managed by a
governmental agency, or supported in whole or substantial part by public funds,
for the benefit of the economically disadvantaged.
C. The term "eleemosynary institution" shall
mean any charitable and non-profit organization which is operated primarily for
the benefit of the economically disadvantaged.
D. The term "free distribution" shall mean
that no consideration is required prior to, subsequent to, or at the time of,
distribution of the food.
E. The
term "poor and needy" shall mean individuals who are economically disadvantaged
(e.g., individuals who receive little or no income in any form or fashion).
GR-34
EXEMPTIONS
FROM TAX - MOTOR VEHICLES PURCHASED BY SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of school buses to school districts in Arkansas are
exempt from the tax.
B. The gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of motor vehicles licensed for
use on the highways for use exclusively by volunteer crews or squads for life
saving, first aid or other rescue activities, including volunteer fire
departments, are exempt from tax if the following conditions are satisfied:
1. The person, firm or corporation desiring
to claim this exemption shall obtain an application for registration and
license from the Office of Motor Vehicle Registration, Division of Revenue,
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. The application must be
completed and submitted to that office along with the filing fee.
2. The vehicle must be painted a
distinguishing color and must have conspicuously displayed thereon in letters
and figures not less than three inches tall the identity of the volunteer life
saving or first aid crew or rescue squad using such vehicle.
C. The gross receipts or gross
proceeds derived from the sale of motor vehicles to municipalities, counties.
State supported colleges, State supported universities or to public school
districts in Arkansas are exempt from the tax.
D. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of new motor vehicles which are:
(1) purchased by nonprofit organizations and
used for the performance of contracts with the Department of Human Services
(DHS), or
(2) purchased with Urban
Mass Transit Funds, are exempt from gross receipts tax if the following
conditions are met:
a) Ten (10) or more
vehicles are purchased at the same time for a fleet price;
b) The vehicles meet or exceed applicable
state purchasing law specifications; and
c) The vehicles are used for transportation
under DHS programs for the aging, disabled, mentally ill, or children and
family services.
GR-35.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - FOOD SOLD
TO TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN SCHOOL CAFETERIAS AND LUNCHROOMS:
The gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from sales of food in
public, common, high school, or college cafeterias and lunchrooms operated
primarily for teachers and pupils and not operated for profit or for the
general public are exempt from the tax.
For purposes of this regulation the following definitions shall
apply:
A. The phrase "public, common,
high school or college" means public kindergartens, public common schools,
public middle schools, public junior high schools, public high schools and
public colleges.
B. Food sold to
pupils and teachers by a private contractor operating a food service for profit
does not qualify for the exemption.
GR-36.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - PERSONS
ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID:
The gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale or rental of
medical equipment by medical equipment suppliers doing business in Arkansas to
persons enrolled in and eligible for either Medicare or Medicaid programs as
described in
42 USC §
1395 and §
1396,
et seq. of the Federal Social Security Act or successor program having the same
purpose, or of any other present or future United States government subsidized
health care program, are exempt from tax. This exemption applies only to the
gross receipts or gross proceeds received directly or indirectly through an
organization administering such program in Arkansas pursuant to a contract with
the United States government in accordance with the terms thereof.
Example: Seller is a medical equipment supply store and purchaser is
receiving Medicare benefits. Seller charges $150.00 for the sale of a
wheelchair to buyer. Seller is reimbursed $100.00 of the purchase price from
the program administrator who is under contract with the United States
government to administer the Medicare program. Seller will charge and collect
tax only on $50.00 of the sale price for the wheelchair. (See also
GR-38.2).
GR-37.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - HOSPITALS AND SANITARIUMS:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of tangible personal property or services to any state
owned and tax supported hospital or sanitarium operated for charitable and
non-profit purposes are exempt from the tax.
B. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of tangible personal property or services to any
nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to provide temporary housing to
the family members of patients in a hospital or sanitarium are exempt from the
tax except for the sale of materials used in the original construction,
extension or repair of the temporary housing.
C. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of tangible personal property or services to any other
hospital or sanitarium operated for charitable and nonprofit purposes are
exempt from the tax except the sales of materials used in the original
construction, extension or repair of such a hospital or sanitarium shall not be
exempt from the tax.
D. The gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of tangible personal property
or services to a hospital or sanitarium operated for profit are
taxable.
E. For purposes of this
regulation, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term "non-profit" shall mean that no
part of the income received by the hospital or sanitarium from any sources
inures (either directly or indirectly) to the benefit of any individual,
corporation organized for profit, trust organized for profit, or partnership
organized for profit.
(2) The term
"repair" shall mean substantial modifications or substantial work upon
the-hospital or sanitarium building itself.
Example
1. Charitable, non-profit, non-State hospital purchases light
bulbs, floor wax, and other maintenance supplies. The sale of bulbs and
supplies is exempt.
Example 2.
Charitable, non-profit, non-State hospital hires a contractor to perform major
repair work on its building. Contractor should pay tax when materials are
purchased to do the job.
Example 3.
The same repairs are needed as in Example 2 but hospital purchases the
materials needed to do the work in its own name, the hospital must pay the tax
when it purchases the materials.
(3) The term "hospital" means an institution
which provides medical and surgical care for the general public. Two basic
factors determine whether an institution is a hospital:
(a) The institution provides beds for the
overnight stay of patients (an institution which provides "out-patient"
services only is not a hospital); and
(b) The institution provides a broad range of
medical and surgical services.
(4) The term 'sanitarium" means an
institution which provides long-term in-patient medical or mental treatment for
the physically or mentally ill.
(5)
The term 'State-owned, tax-supported" means owned by the State of Arkansas and
supported by public funds.
(6) The
term "charitable organization" means an organization whose purpose is
benevolent, philanthropic, patriotic or eleemosynary and whose function if
performed, and not performed by a private party, would have to be performed at
public expense.
GR-38.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND OXYGEN:
A. The
gross receipts tax does not apply to the sale, purchase or use of prescription
drugs by a licensed pharmacist, hospital, oncologist, or dispensing physician
registered under Ark. Code Ann. §
17-93-102.
B. Sales of prescription drugs are exempt
from the tax only when sold by dispensing physicians or at retail stores,
hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. All retail sales of drugs over the
counter without the prescription of a licensed medical practitioner are subject
to the tax. A "licensed medical practitioner" is any person authorized by law
to prescribe drugs for human consumption, including physicians, surgeons,
dentists, podiatrists and osteopaths. (But see GR-38.2)
C. "Dispensing Physician" is any physician
licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act (Ark. Code Ann. §
17-93-201 et
seq.) who purchases legend drugs to be dispensed by him to his or her 'patients
for said patient's personal use and administration outside the physician's
office.
D. "Prescription Drugs" are
those substances, other than foods, prepared or compounded for internal or
external human consumption primarily for use in the diagnosis, mitigation,
treatment, cure, or prevention of diseases or other ailments, and sold at
retail pursuant to the prescription of licensed medical practitioner.
E. Drugs purchased by practitioners not
licensed as dispensing physicians from drug wholesalers or suppliers for use in
the course of rendering medical services are subject to the tax unless
otherwise exempted by law.
F. The
gross receipts tax does not apply to the sale of oxygen for human use when
prescribed by a licensed physician.
G. All licensed pharmacists selling
prescription drugs and all persons selling oxygen must maintain adequate
records to substantiate tax exempt sales.
GR-38.1.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - INSULIN
AND TEST STRIPS: The gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the
sale of insulin and test strips for testing human blood sugar levels are exempt
from tax.
GR-38.2.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - ADAPTIVE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the rental, sale or repair of adaptive medical equipment
prescribed for a specific patient by a physician prior to sale are exempt from
tax.
B. The gross receipts or gross
proceeds derived from the sale of disposable medical supplies prescribed for a
specific patient by a physician prior to sale are exempt from tax.
C. Sales or rentals of items to physicians,
hospitals, nursing homes or long-term care facilities for use by their patients
are not exempt.
D. The terms
"adaptive medical equipment" and "disposable medical supplies" include but are
not limited to the following:
(1)
Wheelchairs;
(2) Leg
braces;
(3) Wheelchair
lifts;
(4) Ostomy, urostomy, and
colostomy supplies;
(5) Raised
toilet seats;
(6)
Catheters;
(7) Wheelchair
batteries;
(8) Enemas,
suppositories, and laxatives used in routine bowel care;
(9) Flexor wrist splints;
(10) Trapeze bars;
(11) Grab bars and hand rails;
(12) Wheelchair adaptive devices;
(13) Hospital beds and adaptive
devices;
(14) Patient
lifts;
(15) Orthopedic shoes and
devices such as shoe lifts and inserts;
(16) Walkers;
(17) Crutches;
(18) Automobile hand controls;
(19) Shower benches and chairs;
(20) Disposable undergarments and linen
savers;
(21) Prosthetics;
(22) Braille writers, large print aids,
visual and communication aids for those who are legally blind;
(23) Hearing aids;
(24) Telecommunication devices and other
communication devices for the deaf, hearing impaired, and others with
communicative disorders; and
(25)
Speech devices for those with laryngectomies.
E. A "physician" means a person licensed
under Ark. Code Ann. §
17-93-401
et seq. and includes osteopathic physicians (D.O.). The term "physician" does
not include chiropractors, podiatrists, dentists, optometrists, or physical
therapists.
F. A "prescription"
means a written or verbal order from the physician to the seller stating that
the patient requires the medical equipment or supplies for his health care. The
seller must maintain adequate records supporting the exemption from
tax.
GR-39.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - CHARITIES AND CHURCHES:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of tangible personal property or services by churches or
charitable organizations are exempt from the tax except where such
organizations may be engaged in business for profit.
B. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from sale of tangible personal property or services to churches or
charitable organizations are not exempt from tax unless the items purchased are
for resale by the church or charitable organization.
C. PTA/PTO Fundraising: A PTA/PTO which
purchases goods and merchandise from the supplier for resale must pay tax on
its purchases. The subsequent resale of the goods are not subject to tax. If
the vendor of the goods supplies the PTA/PTO with order forms which are
distributed to students and the students solicit orders, the vendor must remit
the sales tax on the total sales price for the item. The vendor may allow the
student to collect the tax from the customer on the vendor's behalf. However,
if the student does not collect the tax for the vendor, the vendor must still
remit the total tax due to the state.
D. For purposes of this regulation, the
following definitions shall apply:
(1) See
GR-37.E.(6) .for definition of charitable organization.
(2) The phrase "engaged in business for
profit" means that the income or receipts of the church or charitable
organization inures to the benefit of an individual, corporation organized for
profit, trust organized for profit or partnership organized for profit. A
charitable organization or church that has obtained a ruling from the United
States Internal Revenue Service or Arkansas Department of Finance and
Administration, Income Tax Section, which certifies the organization for income
tax purposes is presumed to be a non-profit organization.
GR-40.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -
ADMISSION FEE TO RODEOS AND FAIRS - TICKETS FOR ADMISSION TO ATHLETIC EVENTS
AND INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES - COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from gate admission fees at state, district, county or township fairs
are exempt from the tax. The gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from gate
admission fees at any rodeo are exempt from the tax if, and only if, the gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from such fees are used exclusively for the
improvement, maintenance and operation of such rodeo and if no part of the net
earnings thereof inures to the benefit of any private stockholder or
individual.
B. The gross receipts
or gross proceeds derived from the sale of tickets for admission to athletic
events and interscholastic activities at public and private elementary and
secondary.schools in this State are exempt from the tax.
C. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of tickets for admission to athletic events at public or
private universities and colleges in Arkansas are not exempt from the tax;
however, each university or college shall be entitled to a refund of all gross
receipts taxes collected and remitted on the gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of the tickets.
GR-41.
EXEMPTIONS FOR TAX - RAW FARM
PRODUCTS GROWN IN ARKANSAS:
The gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from sales of raw
products, including Christmas trees, produced or grown at a farm, orchard, or
garden in Arkansas are exempt from tax if:
A. The sale of such products is made by the
producer directly to the consumer; and
B. The sale is not from an established
business located off the farm.
C.
Grass sod is not a raw farm product.
GR-42.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - DAIRY,
LIVESTOCK (INCLUDING DOMESTICATED FISH), POULTRY PRODUCTS:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of baby chickens in Arkansas are exempt from the
tax.
B. The gross receipts or gross
proceeds derived from the sale of livestock including domesticated fish by
producers at special livestock sales are exempt from the tax. The term
"livestock" includes cattle, horses, mules, sheep, hogs, and any other animals
kept for commercial use or profit.
C. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of dairy products by a dairy product producer who owns
less than six dairy cows are exempt from the tax if the dairy products are
produced in Arkansas and if the dairy products are sold by the producer
directly to the consumer and the sale is not from an established business
located off the farm.
D. The gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from sale of poultry products are exempt
from the tax if the poultry or poultry products are produced in Arkansas and
are sold on the producer's farm and not from an established business.
GR-43.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -
COTTON GIN BALING MATERIALS; AGRICULTURAL SEED AND TOMATO TWINE:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of bagging, packaging and tie materials sold to, and used
by, cotton gins in Arkansas for packaging and tying, or for packaging or tying
baled cotton in Arkansas are exempt from the tax. The gross receipts or gross
proceeds derived from the sale of twine which is used in production of tomato
crops in Arkansas are exempt from the tax.
B. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of cotton, seed cotton, lint cotton, or baled cotton,
whether the cotton is compressed or not, are exempt from this tax.
C. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of cotton seed in its original condition are exempt from
the tax.
D. The gross receipts or
gross proceeds derived from the sale of seed to be used in the commercial
production of any agricultural product or in the commercial production of any
agricultural seed are exempt from the tax. For purposes of this subsection the
term "commercial production" means that the purchaser of the seed is engaged in
the business of growing agricultural products.
E. The term "agricultural" means operations
engaged in for the production of food or fiber.
GR-44.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - CUSTOM
MANUFACTURED HOMES:
A. A new "custom
manufactured home" constructed from materials on which Arkansas Gross Receipts
or Arkansas Compensating Tax has been paid shall be exempt from the
tax.
B. The term "custom
manufactured home" means a factory built structure made to be moved to a
location away from the factory by a conveyance which is not a part of the
structure and which structure is designed to be used as a dwelling unit with a
permanent foundation. For the purpose of this definition the phrase "with a
permanent foundation" means the support system of the home is constructed so
that the custom manufactured home may not be moved without a supporting frame
or chassis being added to or placed under the structure.
C. Manufacturers of custom manufactured homes
shall be considered contractors within the meaning of Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-307.
See GR-3(L).
D. Furniture,
appliances or other furnishings installed or placed in custom manufactured
homes by the manufacturers of such homes shall not be exempt from the
tax.
GR-45.
EXEMPTIONS FROM - CERTAIN PRODUCTS USED FOR LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY - SPECIAL
RULES FOR CLAIMING EXEMPTIONS:
A. The
gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from sales of agricultural fertilizer,
agricultural limestone, and agricultural chemicals are exempt from the tax. The
term "agricultural chemicals" includes, but is not limited to, agricultural
pesticides and agricultural herbicides; and vaccines, medications and medicinal
preparations used in treating livestock and poultry. Pesticides and herbicides
used in and around poultry and other animal houses are exempt.
B. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from sales of feedstuffs used in growing and producing livestock or
poultry for commercial production in Arkansas are exempt from the
tax.
C. For purposes of this
regulation, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term "feedstuffs" shall mean
processed or unprocessed grains, mixed or unmixed grains; whole or ground hay;
whole or ground straw; hulls, whether mixed with other materials or not; and
food supplements, including hormones, antibiotics, vitamins, minerals and
medications ingested by poultry or livestock. Food supplements need not be
nutritious or for medicinal purposes.
(2) The term "livestock" includes cattle,
horses, mules, sheep, hogs, and any other animals kept for commercial use or
profit.
GR-46.
NON-TAXABLE ADVERTISING
SERVICES:
A.
(1) The term "advertising agency" means a
business which provides comprehensive, professional advertising services
including, but not limited to, artwork, concepting, designing and any other
creative services necessary to create, plan and implement an advertising
scheme.
(2) The term "advertising
services" means those professional services provided by an advertising agency
when designing and implementing an advertising campaign for a
customer.
B.
(1) Advertising services shall not be subject
to gross receipts tax.
(2)
Advertising agencies must pay the Arkansas gross receipts or use tax on all
property and taxable services which they purchase or consume in providing
advertising services.
(3) The sale
of caps, pencils, mugs, shirts or any other item of tangible personal property
which contains the name, logo, picture or other message designed by the
purchaser is subject to the gross receipts tax if the sale is made by a retail
business engaged in the sale of advertising materials.
GR-47.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -
SALES TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT: The gross receipts or gross
proceeds derived from sales to the United States Government are exempt from the
tax. Contractors purchasing tangible personal property or taxable services
pursuant to a contract with the United States Government are the consumers of
such property or services and must pay the tax when they purchase the property
or services. Sales to United States Government employees who pay for the
articles purchased with their own funds are not exempt.
GR-48.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -
NEWSPAPERS, PUBLICATIONS, AND BILLBOARDS:
A. For purposes of this Section, the
following definitions are applicable:
(1) The
term "newspaper" means a publication in sheet form containing reports of
current events and articles of general interest to the public, published
regularly in short intervals such as daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, and intended
for general circulation.
(2) The
term "advertising space" means space located within the body of a newspaper or
publication, containing advertisements which are printed concurrently with the
news, articles, features, or other attractions in the newspaper or publication
and the classified advertising section.
(3) The term "advertising supplement" means a
publication in sheet form, other than the usual classified advertising section
of a newspaper, printed in Arkansas by a newspaper publisher or job printer,
containing advertising only and which is not physically attached to a
newspaper, but which may be distributed with a newspaper or by other
means.
(4) The term "billboard
advertising services" means any and all services rendered in connection with
the rental or lease of advertising space on a structure which is affixed to the
land for the purpose of posting advertising messages.
(5) The term "publication" means any
pamphlet, magazine, journal, or periodical, other than a newspaper, designed
for the information or entertainment of the general public or any segment
thereof.
(6) The term "regular
subscription" means the purchase by advance payment of a specified number (2 or
more) of issues of a publication over a certain period of time, and delivered
to the subscriber by mail or otherwise.
B. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of newspapers are exempt from the tax.
C. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale or rental of advertising space in newspapers and
publications are exempt from the tax. Advertising supplements are not exempt
from the tax. The printer, whether a newspaper publisher or job printer, must
collect the tax on the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale
of the advertising supplements to the advertiser, even though the advertising
supplement may be distributed by insertion in a newspaper for the convenience
of the advertiser.
D. The gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of advertising space in
advertising supplements or other publications distributed free of charge are
exempt from tax. The printer, whether a newspaper publisher or job printer,
must collect tax on the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale
of the advertising supplements to the distributor. If the printer is also the
distributor, the printer should pay tax on the retail price which the printer
would have charged to a customer who purchased the advertising supplements or
publications from the printer in an arms length transaction.
E. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of billboard advertising services are exempt from the
tax.
F. The gross receipts or gross
proceeds derived from the sale of any publication through regular subscription
is exempt.
G. The gross receipts or
gross proceeds derived from the sale of any non-subscription magazines, or
publications other than newspapers are subject to the tax.
H. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of machinery and equipment to newspaper publishers are
exempt from the tax if they satisfy the requirements set forth in
GR-55.
GR-49.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - ISOLATED SALES:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from isolated sales not made by an established business or in an
established manner are exempt from the tax.
B. The term "isolated sale" means the
one-time sale of an item, or group of items not made by an established business
of any kind of character.
Example: Seller has an inventory of merchandise which buyer desires to
purchase. Seller is in the established business of selling the merchandise. If
seller sells all or part of the inventory to buyer, then it is not an isolated
sale and seller must collect and remit tax on the gross receipts or gross
proceeds derived from the sale of the merchandise unless other exemptions are
applicable such as the sale for resale exemption. Sale of non-inventory assets
is considered an isolated sale.
C. This exemption does not apply to the sale
of motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, mobile homes or
airplanes.
D. Sales of arts and
crafts items at craft fairs and shows are exempt if sales or use tax was paid
by the seller on the component parts of their craft items.
GR-50.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - SECONDHAND
AND USED TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY:
A. Gross receipts or gross proceeds derived
from the sale of secondhand and used tangible personal property will be exempt
only if both the following conditions listed under (1) and (2) below are met:
(1) Property was traded in to and accepted by
the seller of tangible personal property as part of the purchase price of other
tangible personal property. It is necessary that the gross receipts tax be
collected and paid on the total consideration for in the sale of other tangible
personal property involved in order to qualify for the exemption unless the
sale of the other tangible personal property was otherwise exempt under other
provisions of the Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax Act.
(2) The Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax was
collected and paid on the total amount of consideration for the sale of the
other tangible personal property without any deduction or credit for the value
of the used tangible personal property.
Example: Seller of boats sells a new boat to a customer. The customer
trades in his old boat and pays sales tax to seller on the full purchase price
of the new boat without any deduction for the trade in. When seller sells the
traded-in used boat, he is not required to collect sales tax.
B. The foregoing does not apply to
transactions involving (a) used motor vehicles or trailers, (b) used mobile
homes or (c) used aircraft, but is applicable to boats, motors, appliances,
etc. See GR-13, GR-14 and GR-15.
C.
Property purchased by a seller and not taken as a trade-in does not qualify for
the exemption.
GR-51.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - FARM MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of new and used farm equipment and machinery is exempt
from gross receipts tax.
B. The
term "farm equipment and machinery" means agricultural implements used
exclusively and directly for the agricultural production of food or fiber as a
business.
(1) The following agricultural
implements are exempt provided they meet the requirements of paragraphs B(3)
and B(4) of this regulation:
(a) Combines,
cotton pickers, cotton module builders, cotton trailers, cultivators, discs,
farm tractors, (other than garden tractors) harrows, irrigation equipment,
milking equipment including milking machines, mechanical pickers, planters,
plows, rotary hoes, sprayers, spreaders and threshing machines. "Irrigation
equipment" means pipes, hoses, pumps, gates, and other equipment which is
movable and does not become affixed to real property. Irrigation equipment
which is designed or intended to be permanently attached or incorporated into
real property is not exempt.
(b)
All terrain vehicles which are not subject to licensing or registration for use
on the highways.
(c) Machinery and
equipment used in poultry grow-out houses including heaters, cages, feeding
systems, storage bins for short term storage of feed, medicators, watering
systems, augers, fans and generators.
(d) Egg racks, poultry loaders and module
coop systems used by egg and poultry producers in farming operations.
(2) The list of exempt items in
B(l)(a) is not intended to be exclusive. Other agricultural implements may
qualify for this exemption provided they meet the requirements of paragraphs
B(3) and B(4) of this regulation.
(3) An implement may not be treated as tax
exempt unless it is used "exclusively" in the agricultural production of food
or fiber as a business.
(a) An implement will
be presumed to be used exclusively in the agricultural production of food or
fiber as a business if the implement is used on land owned or leased for the
purpose of agricultural production of food or fiber.
(b) A person who uses agricultural implements
in the production of food or fiber primarily for his own consumption is not
entitled to this exemption.
(4) An implement may not be treated as tax
exempt unless it is used "directly" in the agricultural production of food or
fiber as a business.
The term "directly" limits the exemption to:
(a) only those implements used in the actual
agricultural production of food or fiber to be sold in processed form or
otherwise at retail, or
(b)
machinery and equipment used in the agricultural production of farm products to
be fed to livestock or poultry which is to be sold ultimately in processed form
at retail.
(5)
Implements which are not exempt include but are not limited to the following:
(a) Containers or storage
facilities.
(b) Implements used in
the production or severance of timber, or any motor vehicle of a type subject
to registration for use on the highway, or airplanes, or hand tools.
(c) Attachments to and accessories not
essential to the operation of the implement itself (except when sold as part of
an assembled unit).
(d) Items which
are incorporated into real property.
(e) Repair labor and repair parts.
C. Each purchaser of
farm machinery and equipment must certify, in writing, on the copy of the
invoice or sales ticket to be retained by the Seller, that he is engaged in
farming and the farm machinery and equipment will be used only in farming.
Language similar to the following will meet this certification requirement:
"I_________________ am engaged in the business of farming and the farm
machinery and equipment I have purchased will be used exclusively and directly
in the agricultural production of food or fiber as a business. I am aware that
any false representation made by me in an attempt to purchase farm machinery
and equipment free from Arkansas Sales Tax is a misdemeanor." Seller shall
certify to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration that the
contract price of the items has been reduced to grant the full benefit of the
exemption. For the seller to meet this certification requirement the invoice
shall reflect that no Sales Tax has been charged on machinery and equipment
qualifying for this exemption. Violation hereof by the Purchaser or Seller
shall be a misdemeanor, and upon violation or conviction for a second offense,
the Arkansas Revenue Commissioner shall revoke the Seller's Sales Tax
Permit.
GR-52.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - VESSELS, BARGES AND TOWBOATS OF AT LEAST FIFTY TONS LOAD
DISPLACEMENT:
A. The gross receipts or
gross proceeds derived from the sale of vessels, barges, and towboats of at
least fifty (50) tons load displacement are exempt from the tax.
B. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from the sale of parts and labor used in the repair and construction of
vessels, barges and towboats of at least fifty (50) tons load displacement are
exempt from the tax.
GR-53.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - SALES FOR
RESALE - MANUFACTURERS, COMPOUNDERS AND PROCESSORS:
A. The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from sales for resale to persons regularly engaged in the business of
reselling the articles purchased whether purchased within or without the State
are exempt from the tax; provided, however, that such sales within the state
are made to persons to whom sales tax permits have been issued as provided in
Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-201 et seq.
and regulation number GR-72. (See also GR-74.)
B. It is necessary that the person claiming
the benefits of this sale for resale exemption prove to the seller that he is
engaged in the business of reselling the articles purchased by him. The
purchaser must provide the seller with the purchaser's retail permit number if
the sale is made within Arkansas. In addition to furnishing his retail permit
number to the seller, the purchaser must certify in writing to the seller that
he (the purchaser) is engaged in the business of reselling the articles
purchased. Failure to so certify, or to falsely certify with the knowledge that
the items purchased are not for resale, shall be sufficient grounds upon which
the Commissioner may cause the purchaser's retail permit to be canceled.
Certification may be made on the bill, invoice or sales slip retained by the
seller; or by furnishing a certification letter to the seller which contain the
following:
(1) the name and address of the
purchaser;
(2) the retail permit
number of the permit issued to the purchaser;
(3) a statement that the purchaser is engaged
in the business of reselling the articles purchased;
(4) a statement that the articles purchased
are purchased for resale;
(5) the
signature of the purchaser or a person authorized to legally bind the
purchaser.
If certification is made directly on the bill, sales slip or invoice,
the purchaser need only note his retail permit number and write the following
statement (or a reasonable approximation thereof): "I, (name, position,
business name, hereby certify that the materials listed on the (bill, invoice
or sales slip) are purchased for resale and that I am regularly engaged in the
business of reselling the items noted on this (bill, invoice or sales slip)."
The purchaser or his authorized agent must then sign the bill, invoice or sales
slip and return a copy thereof to the seller for his records.
C. If a retail permit holder
purchases goods, wares, and merchandise from a seller on a regular basis, then
the permit holder may furnish the certification letter described in Section (B)
of this regulation to the seller and the seller may subsequently make sales of
tangible personal property to the retail permit holder without requiring a
certification letter or certification statement for each subsequent sale. The
retail permit holder must notify the seller of all purchases which are not for
resale and remit the applicable amount of tax thereon. If the retail permit
holder fails to so notify the seller of purchases not intended for resale, then
sufficient grounds shall exist for the Commissioner to cancel the retail permit
of the retail permit holder who failed to so notify the seller.
D. The seller of items intended for resale
must satisfy the requirements of Section (B) or (C) of this regulation. If the
seller does not require the purchaser to perform the requirements listed in
Section (B) or (C) and the sale was otherwise taxable, then the seller shall be
liable for the tax upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the
sale of the items.
E. Goods, wares,
merchandise and property sold for use in manufacturing, compounding,
processing, assembling or preparing for sale, can be classified as having been
sold for resale purposes only in the event such goods, wares merchandise or
property becomes a recognizable integral part of the manufactured, compounded,
processed, assembled or prepared products. Sales of goods, wares, merchandise,
and property not conforming to this requirement are classified as being for
consumption or use of the purchaser thereof and are taxable. For purposes of
this Section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term "recognizable" means capable of
being recognized in the finished product. The capability to recognize the
effect of goods, wares, merchandise, or property upon the finished product is
insufficient to establish that the goods, wares, merchandise or property has
been resold.
(2) The term
"integral" means essential to the completeness of the finished
product.
F.
Manufacturers, compounders, processors, assemblers and preparers of goods for
sale must also satisfy the requirements found in Sections A, B, C, and D of
this regulation.
G. Restaurant
Supplies:
(1) As a general rule, gross
receipts derived from the sale of the following items to restaurants are exempt
as sales for resale: Paper, plastic and styrofoam cups used for dispensing
beverages, the paper and plastic lids for such cups; paper and plastic bowls,
paper boats, boxes and containers used for dispensing food items, and the
wrappers for such bowls, boats, boxes and containers.
(2) Gross receipts derived from the sale of
the following items purchased by restaurants are not exempt as resale: paper
plates; paper and plastic straws and stirrers; plastic tableware and utensils;
paper napkins; paper sacks; and premoistened towelettes.
H. Gross receipts derived from the sale of
repair parts to businesses engaged in the business of leasing or renting
tangible personal property and which parts are used to repair the leased
property are not exempt from tax unless the leased property was originally
purchased exempt as a sale for resale.
I. Packaging Materials:
1. Generally, the sale of materials used by
the manufacturer or processor to package the finished product for sale or
delivery is exempt if the materials become part of the finished product. Shrink
wrap and strapping which bind the finished product together for shipment to the
consumer are exempt. Non-returnable pallets which are delivered with the final
product are also exempt. Returnable pallets are taxable.
2. Materials purchased by the manufacturer or
processor to transport the product to the customer and which are owned by and
returned to the manufacturer or which do not become part of the finished
product received by the consumer are taxable. Dunnage bags which prevent
containers of products from shifting during transit are taxable.
GR-54.
MANUFACTURERS INVESTMENT SALES AND USE TAX CREDIT ACT OF 1985:
A. The Director of Arkansas Industrial
Development Commission (AIDC) is responsible for determining the eligibility of
certain approved projects to receive specified sales and use tax credits. AIDC
has promulgated rules and regulations for the implementation and administration
of this Act which should be obtained.
B. In order to qualify for the tax credits
provided by this Act, a manufacturer must:
(1) have been in continuous operation in
Arkansas for at least two years prior to applying for tax credits;
(2) expend at least five million dollars
($5,000,000.00) on eligible items;
(3) hold a direct pay sales and use tax
permit issued by the Revenue Division.
C. Accurate and up to date records of all
expenditures for the project approved by AIDC shall be maintained by the
manufacturer and available for inspection and audit by the Commissioner of
Revenue. The eligibility of questionable items is determined by the
Commissioner of Revenue.
GR-55.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -
MANUFACTURERS:
A. The gross receipts or
gross proceeds derived from sales of tangible personal property consisting of
machinery and equipment used directly in producing, manufacturing, fabricating,
assembling, processing, finishing, and/or packaging of articles of commerce at
manufacturing plants or facilities in Arkansas are exempt from the tax if, and
only if, the machinery and equipment is purchased and used for purposes set
forth in this regulation.
B. The
gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of machinery and
equipment purchased and used to create new manufacturing plants or facilities
in Arkansas are exempt from the tax if:
(1)
The machinery and equipment performs one or more essential functions and is
utilized directly in the manufacturing process; and
(2) The machinery and equipment is utilized
in actual manufacturing operations at any time from the initial stage where the
raw material is first acted upon and changed in any essential respect through
the completion and packaging of the article of commerce, as defined at
subsection E(6) of this regulation; and
(3) The machinery and equipment does not
consist of hand tools, buildings, transportation equipment, office machines and
equipment, machinery and equipment used in administrative, accounting, sales or
other such activities of the business involved, or any and all other machinery
and equipment not directly used in the manufacturing operation.
C. The gross receipts or gross
proceeds derived from the sale of machinery and equipment purchased and used to
expand a manufacturing plant or facility in Arkansas are exempt from tax if:
(1) The machinery and equipment satisfy the
requirements of subsections B(l), B(2), and B(3) of this regulation; and
either
(2) The purchase of the
machinery results in an economic expansion of the taxpayer's plant or facility
(regardless of whether there is a physical expansion) by:
(a) increasing production, volume;
or,
(b) increasing employment;
or,
(c) increasing the number of
different types or models of property that can be manufactured; or
(3) The purchase of the machinery
results in a physical expansion of the taxpayer's plant or facility regardless
of whether there is an economic expansion.
D. Machinery purchased to replace existing
machinery and used directly in producing, manufacturing, fabricating,
assembling, processing,, finishing or packaging of articles of commerce at
manufacturing or processing plants or facilities in this state will be exempt
from the tax if:
(1) The machinery satisfies
the requirements of subsection B(l), B(2), and B(3) of this regulation;
and
(2) The "machinery purchased to
replace existing machinery" means that substantially all of the machinery and
equipment required to perform an essential function is physically replaced with
new machinery that performs the essential function more efficiently or with a
longer useful life than the old machinery being replaced. The term
'substantially" is intended to exclude routine repairs and maintenance and
partial replacements that do not improve efficiency or extend the useful life
of the entire machine but is not intended to mean that foundations and minor
components that can be economically adapted, rebuilt, or refurbished must be
substantially replaced when such replacement would be more expensive or
impractical than adapting, rebuilding or refurbishing the old foundation or
minor components.
(3) When
individual machines or machinery are interconnected in order to accomplish a
single function and the function of each such individual machine is not
complete before the adjacent machines begin to function, the result is a new
single identifiable machine. The machinery purchased to replace this resulting
existing machine must satisfy the requirements of subsection D(2) above and the
exemption is not available for the replacement of only some of the individual
machines that now form component parts of the aforementioned machine. An
individual machine that performs a separate distinct function in the
manufacturing operation as part of a production line, constitutes a single
machine for purposes of this exemption and may be replaced tax
exempt.
E. For purposes
of this regulation, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term "machinery" shall mean
mechanical devices or combinations of mechanical powers and devices purchased
or constructed by a taxpayer or his agent and used to perform some function and
to produce a certain effect or result. Machinery includes electrical,
mechanical and electronic components which are a part of machinery and are
necessary for the machine to produce its effect or result.
(2) The term "equipment" shall mean any
tangible personal property other than machinery as defined at subsection E(l)
of this regulation, used directly in the manufacturing process except those
items specifically excluded from the exemption as provided at subsection B(3)
of this regulation.
(3) The term
"directly" limits the exemption to only that machinery and equipment which is
used in actual production during processing, fabricating or assembling raw
materials or semi-finished materials into the form in which such personal
property is to be sold in the commercial market.
Example
i. Machinery and equipment used in actual production include
machinery and equipment that meet all other applicable requirements and which
cause a recognizable and measurable mechanical, chemical, electrical, or
electronic action to take place as a necessary and integral part of
manufacturing, the absence of which would cause the manufacturing operation to
cease. "Directly" does not mean that the machinery and equipment must come into
direct physical contact with any of the materials that become necessary and
integral parts of the finished product. Machinery and equipment which handle
raw, semi-finished, or finished materials or property before the manufacturing
process begins are not utilized directly in the manufacturing process.
Machinery and equipment which are necessary for purposes of storing the
finished product are not utilized directly in the manufacturing process.
Machinery and equipment used to transport or handle product while manufacturing
is taking place are used directly.
Example
ii. Machinery and equipment "used directly" in the manufacturing
process shall include, but shall not be limited to the following: molds and
dies that determine the physical characteristics of the finished product or its
packaging materials to the extent that the dies and molds satisfy the
requirement of GR-56; testing equipment to measure the quality of the finished
product; computers and related peripheral equipment that directly control or
measure the manufacturing process; machinery and equipment that produce steam,
electricity, or chemical catalysts and solutions that are essential to the
manufacturing process but which are consumed during the course of the
manufacturing process and do not become necessary and integral parts of the
finished product.
NOTE: The exemption is limited only to the machinery and equipment
that produce steam, electricity or chemical catalysts and solutions and does
not exempt the steam, electricity or chemical catalysts and
solutions.
Example iii.
Machinery and equipment "used directly" in the manufacturing process shall not
include the following: hand tools; machinery, equipment, and tools used in
maintaining and repairing any type of machinery and equipment; transportation
equipment, including conveyors, used solely before or after the manufacturing
process has been started or completed; office machines and equipment including
computers and related peripheral equipment not directly used in controlling or
measuring the manufacturing process; buildings; machinery and equipment used in
administrative, accounting, sales or other such activities of the business; all
furniture; and all other machinery and equipment not used directly in
manufacturing or processing operations as defined herein.
(4) The term "manufacturing", as defined
herein, includes those operations commonly understood within their ordinary
meaning, and shall also include mining, quarrying, refining, extracting oil and
gas, cotton ginning, the drying of rice, soybeans and other grains and the
manufacturing of feed, the processing of poultry or eggs and livestock and the
hatching of poultry, and printing of all kinds, types and characters, including
the services of overprinting, and photographic processes incidental to
printing, the processing of scrap metal into grades and bales for further
processing into steel and other metals and the rebuilding or remanufacturing of
used parts and retreading of tires for automobiles, trucks, and other mobile
equipment powered by electrical or internal combustion engines or motors,
provided that the rebuilt or remanufactured parts of retreaded tires are not
sold directly to the consumer but are sold for resale.
(5) The term "hand tool" shall mean any tool
which is solely powered by a human being.
(6) "Article of Commerce" includes any
property to be placed on the market for retail sale to the general public and
any property which becomes a recognizable integral part of a manufactured
product in its finished and packaged form ready to be placed on the market for
retail sale. Custom items which are produced for specific customers in response
to special orders and which are not readily marketable to the general public
are not articles of commerce.
(7)
The term 'special foundation" as used in subsection D(2) of this regulation
means a customized foundation necessary for the support and proper operation of
the machinery. The special foundation may be affixed to a building foundation
but must be capable of being removed without major structural damage to the
building or its foundation.
(8) The
exempt gross receipts or gross proceeds under this regulation includes gross
receipts or gross proceeds as defined at GR-3(C)(1).
GR-56.
EXEMPTIONS
FROM TAX - MANUFACTURING EXEMPTION - DIES AND MOLDS: Sellers of dies and
molds must collect and remit the tax on the gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from sales of the dies and molds unless the dies and molds satisfy the
provisions contained in GR-55. The sale of a first die or mold of a particular
design for each power unit, whether or not sold as part of a power unit is
exempt, but replacement of said die or mold or duplicate thereof is
taxable.
GR-57.
EXEMPTIONS
FROM TAX - MANUFACTURING EXEMPTION - SPECIFIC BUSINESSES - REFINING AND
EXTRACTING OIL AND GAS - SERVICES TO OIL AND GAS WELLS:
A. Refining - the following items of tangible
personal property are offered as examples of exempt machinery and equipment
purchased to establish or expand refining plants or facilities in Arkansas:
(1) Tanks or containers in which the actual
refining takes place;
(2) Pipes
through which crude oil or gas is actually conveyed during refining operations
from wellhead through treatment tanks.
B. The following items of tangible personal
property are offered as examples of non-exempt machinery and equipment
purchased by oil and gas refiners:
(1)
Storage tanks or containers used to store oil and gas prior to or subsequent to
the actual refining process;
(2)
Pipes used to convey the oil or gas to the refining process before the process
begins; and pipes used to convey the oil and gas after the refining process has
been completed;
C.
Extracting oil and Gas - the following items of tangible personal property are
offered as examples of exempt machinery and equipment purchased to establish
oil and gas extraction plants or facilities in Arkansas:
(1) surface casing and the cement purchased
to enclose surface casing (actually exempt as pollution control
equipment);
(2) separator and
treater; meters and regulators;
(3)
all component machines, equipment or parts used to construct a new drilling
rig, e.g., crown block, drill bit, drill string. All subsequent replacements of
foregoing items on a drilling rig, following first use of rig, will be subject
to tax. Entire drill rig must be replaced for any exemption from tax to
apply.
D. The services
of alteration, addition, cleaning, refinishing, replacement or repair of any
part of an oil and gas drilling rig or .existing oil or gas well are subject to
tax, except that the perforating of an existing oil or gas well will not be a
taxable service unless the lifting unit and the machinery associated therewith,
e.g. , motor engine, pump unit, polish rod, stuffing box, sucker rods,
scrappers, bottomhole pump or tubing, are removed prior to taxable services
referred to herein being performed.
GR-58.
REFUND OF TAX - ENTERPRISE ZONE
REF0ND:
A. The Revenue Division of the
Department of Finance and Administration shall authorize a refund of sales and
use tax imposed by the state, and, upon approval of the governing authority of
the enterprise zone, from sales tax imposed by it, on the purchases of the
material used in the construction of a building or buildings, or any addition
or improvement thereon, for housing any legitimate business enterprise, and
machinery and equipment to be located in or in connection with such
building.
B.
(1) A sales and use tax refund as provided
for in subsection A of this regulation shall be authorized provided that:
(a) The qualified business is an industry
that fits into Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) numbers 20 through 39,
7375, or 7376, or is a distribution center located within Arkansas;
(b) The firm and its contractors give
preference and priority to Arkansas manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, and
labor, except where it is not reasonably possible to do so without added
expense, substantial inconvenience, or sacrifice in operational
efficiency;
(c) The firm is
physically located within an enterprise zone;
(d) The firm certifies that at least thirty-five percent (35%) of
its net new employees will be:
(i) Residents
of the same county as the location of the business or counties adjacent
thereto; and
(ii)
(A) Are or were receiving some form of public
assistance immediately prior to employment; or
(B) Are or were considered unemployable by
traditional standards or lacking in basic skills at the time of employment with
the business;
(e) The request for such refund is
accompanied by an endorsement resolution approved by the governing body of a
municipality or county in whose jurisdiction the facility is located;
and
(f) In the event it is found
that any business receiving the benefits contained in subsection (A) of this
regulation has failed to comply with- the conditions, contained in this
subsection, that business will be liable for the payment of all sales and use
taxes which were refunded under subsection (A) of this regulation.
(2)
(a) The term "distribution center" shall mean
a facility for the reception, storage, or shipping of a business' own products
or products which the business wholesales to retail businesses or ships to its
own retail outlets.
(b) For a
distribution center to qualify for the benefits provided in this regulation, it
must meet the following requirements:
(i) The
distribution center must not make retail sales to the general public;
and
(ii) The distribution center
must employ one hundred (100) or more employees. These employees must be
employed by the distribution center within eighteen (18) months of the date
distribution actually begins.
(c) If a distribution center does not meet
the requirements of subdivisions B(2)(b)(i) and (ii) above, then the
distribution center will automatically be disqualified from receiving any
benefits under this regulation and will be required to repay any tax benefits
already received hereunder plus penalty and interest as allowed by
law.
C. The
calculation of "net new employees" for the purposes of this Regulation will be
made using those employees who worked a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week,
and who have worked a minimum of six (6) months, as determined by the company's
average annual employment as reported to the Arkansas Employment Security
Department.
D. An applicant for an
enterprise zone sales or use tax refund must meet all other requirements for an
enterprise zone business provided in the Arkansas Enterprise Zone Act, Ark.
Code Ann. § 15-4-801 et seq.
E.
(1) A
sales and use tax refund as provided for in subsection A of this regulation may
be claimed by qualified aircraft businesses. A qualified aircraft business is
any business which manufactures, assembles, repairs, rebuilds, converts,
modifies, or maintains commercial jet aircraft, commercial jet aircraft
components, or commercial jet aircraft subcomponents. The sales and use tax
refund shall also be available to any other entity which constructs or expands
a facility solely for use by a qualified aircraft business. The term
"commercial jet aircraft" shall mean any commercial, military, private or other
turbine or turbo jet aircraft having a maximum take-off weight of more than
12,500 pounds.
(2) To qualify for
the refund, the qualified aircraft business must meet the requirements set out
in Act 58 of 1992 [Ark. Code Ann. § 15-4-807(f) ].
(3) The prerequisites set out in subsection
(B) and (D) of this regulation shall not apply to qualified aircraft businesses
or other entities which construct or expand a facility solely for use by a
qualified aircraft business.
GR-59.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -
MANUFACTURING EXEMPTION - SPECIFIC BUSINESS-MINING AND QUARRYING - ELECTRICITY
USED IN MANUFACTURING ALUMINUM METAL: Machinery and equipment purchased
and used by mining or quarrying operations are exempt from the tax if the
requirements of GR-55 are satisfied. The exemption may be claimed only for
machinery and equipment utilized for the actual mining or quarrying operation
itself which may include machinery and equipment used to wash, grade and
separate the mined or quarried articles of commerce if such operation is
carried on at the same site and as part of the continuous raining operation.
Dump trucks or other transportation vehicles are not exempt from the
tax. The gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of electricity
used in the manufacture of aluminum metal by the electrolytic reduction process
are exempt from the tax.
GR-60.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -
MANUFACTURING EXEMPTIONS - SPECIFIC BUSINESSES - RICE, SOYBEANS AND GRAIN
DRYING:
A. The following machinery and
equipment purchased and used by rice driers, soybean driers and other grain
driers constitutes machinery and equipment used directly in the process of
drying those grains:
(1) bins in which the
grain is dried;
(2) control panels
and motors utilized to operate the grain drying process;
(3) conveyor systems used during the drying
process in the bins.
B.
The following machinery and equipment purchased and used by rice driers,
soybean driers and other grain driers does not qualify for this exemption:
(1) scales used to weigh grain before drying
process begins;
(2) conveyor
systems used to transport grain to and from storage bins, freight cars, or
trucks;
(3) machinery and equipment
purchased for use in unloading grain from trucks or freight cars (i.e.,
hydraulic lifts, bottom dumps, prods used to test grains before the process
begins);
(4) bins not used for
drying.
C. In all
events, the machinery and equipment purchased and used by rice driers, soybean
driers and other grain driers must satisfy the requirements of Regulation
Number GR-55.
GR-61.
COTTON GINNERS:
A. The following
machinery and equipment purchased and used by cotton ginners constitutes
machinery and equipment used directly in the ginning of cotton:
(1) suction systems, lint cleaners, dryers,
gin stands, stick machines, feeders, and separators;
(2) conveyor systems used during the ginning
operation;
(3) cotton presses, end
scales, strapping machines;
(4)
control panels and motors used to operate the ginning process.
B. The following machinery and
equipment used by cotton ginners does not qualify for the exemption:
(1) tractors and trailers used to transport
cotton to and from the gin;
(2)
transportation equipment used in the gin yard or to move baled cotton from the
gin;
(3) bins used to store cotton
seed;
(4) conveyor systems used to
transport cotton seed from the gin to storage bins;
(5) scales used to weigh raw
cotton.
GR-62.
EXEMPTION FROM TAX -
MANUFACTURING EXEMPTION - SPECIFIC BUSINESSES - POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK
FEED:
A. The following machinery and
equipment purchased and used by poultry and livestock feed "manufacturers"
constitutes machinery and equipment used directly in the making of feed:
(1) mixing and grinding machinery and
equipment;
(2) computers, motors
and conveyors utilized during the process of mixing and grinding the
feed;
(3) bins in which the mixing
and grinding of feed actually occur and the structure supporting the bins; (4)
scales used to weigh the feed for packaging after the mixing and grinding
process.
B. The
following machinery and equipment purchased and used by poultry and livestock
feed "manufacturers" does not qualify for the exemption:
(1) storage bins and facilities;
(2) structures used to support the storage
bins and facilities;
(3) scales
used to weigh raw materials before the feed manufacturing process begins and
weigh the feed after the process ends;
(4) machinery and equipment purchased and
used to unload raw materials from trucks before the feed manufacturing process
begins.
C. In all
events, the machinery and equipment purchased and used by poultry and livestock
feed mills must satisfy the requirements of GR-55.
GR-63.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -
MANUFACTURING EXEMPTION - SPECIFIC BUSINESSES - HATCHING OF POULTRY:
A. The following machinery and equipment
purchased and used by poultry hatching facilities constitutes machinery and
equipment used directly in the hatching of poultry.
(1) incubators;
(2) temperature and humidity control
machinery and equipment directly associated with incubators;
(3) plastic egg trays, hatchery trays,
hatchery tray washers and rolling racks used to hold eggs during incubation
process.
B. Washing
machines and maintenance equipment purchased and used by poultry hatching
facilities do not qualify for the exemption.
C. In all events, the machinery and equipment
purchased and used by poultry hatcheries must satisfy the requirements of
GR-55.
GR-64.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - MANUFACTURING EXEMPTIONS - SPECIFIC BUSINESSES - EGG
PROCESSORS AND POULTRY PROCESSORS:
A.
The following machinery and equipment purchased and used by egg processors
constitutes machinery and equipment used directly in processing eggs.
(1) machinery and equipment used in the
washing, grading, candling and packaging of eggs;
(2) conveyor systems used to convey eggs
during the process;
(3) forklift
trucks used to transport eggs during the process.
(4) egg wire baskets used to transport eggs
to retailers.
B. The
following machinery and equipment purchased and used by egg processors do not
qualify for the exemption.
(1) heating,
cooling and freezing machinery and equipment and ductwork used in storage
areas;
(2) forklift trucks used to
transport packaged eggs to the storage area;
(3) machinery and equipment used for washing
the egg processing equipment.
C. In all events, the machinery and equipment
purchased and used by egg processors must satisfy the requirements of
GR-55.
D. The following machinery
and equipment purchased and used by poultry processors constitutes machinery
and equipment used directly in poultry processing.
(1) live poultry dumping system
(2) machinery and equipment used directly in
the poultry processing operation from the point the birds are killed through
the packaging of the finished product, including "quick freeze" processing
including shackle washing systems and ice maker systems;
(3) pneumatic air compressors for the
operation of machinery and equipment referred to in subsection (1) above and
air compressor dryers;
(4) forklift
trucks and conveyor systems used exclusively in actual processing at any point
from the time the birds are killed until packaging;
(5) cooking vats, cooking equipment, cutting
and packaging machinery, and pneumatic and electrical machinery used directly
in the process of cooking poultry;
(6) quality control devices on line used to
test each unit produced.
E. The following machinery and equipment
purchased and used by poultry processors does not qualify for the exemption:
(1) heating, cooling and freezing machinery,
equipment and ductwork used in storage areas;
(2) forklift trucks used in storage
area;
(3) storage racks used in the
storage area.
F. In all
events, the machinery and equipment purchased and used by poultry processors
must satisfy the requirements of GR-55.
GR-65.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -
MANUFACTURING EXEMPTIONS - SPECIFIC BUSINESS - (A) AUTOMOBILE PARTS REBUILDERS,
(B) TIRE RETREADERS:
Machinery and equipment purchased and used by persons rebuilding or
remanufacturing used parts and retreading of tires for automobiles, trucks, and
other mobile equipment powered by electrical or internal combustion engines or
motors, are exempt from the tax provided that the rebuilt or remanufactured
parts or retreaded tires are not sold directly to the consumer but are sold for
resale. In all events, the machinery and equipment purchased and used by
automobile parts rebuilders and tire retreaders must satisfy the requirements
of GR-55.
GR-66.
EXEMPTIONS PROM TAX - MANUFACTURING EXEMPTION - POLLUTION CONTROL MACHINERY:
The gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of pollution
control machinery and equipment are exempt from the tax if:
A. The machinery and equipment is utilized,
either directly or indirectly, by manufacturing or processing plants or
facilities, or cities or towns in Arkansas to prevent or reduce air or water
pollution or contamination which might otherwise result from the operation of
the plant or facility; and,
B. The
machinery and equipment is required by Arkansas or federal law or regulations
to be installed and utilized to control pollution or contamination as evidenced
by written documentation from the Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and
Ecology or the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.
C. Supplies and chemicals used by pollution
control machinery and equipment are taxable.
GR-67.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX -
MANUFACTURING EXEMPTION - SPECIFIC BUSINESS - (A) CONCRETE MIXERS AND BATCH
PLANTS, (B) SAWMILLS AND LUMBER MILLS:
A. Concrete mix trucks and ready-mix concrete
batch plants are not machinery and equipment used directly in manufacturing and
do not qualify for the manufacturing exemption.
B. Machinery and equipment used directly in
the manufacturing of a finished lumber product by sawmills and lumber mills
will be exempt from the tax. A finished lumber product includes any new article
of commerce created by sawmills or lumber mills. Items such as portable chain
saws, hand tools, buildings, storage facilities, and all other similar items
will be subject to the tax. In all events, the machinery and equipment
purchased and used by sawmills must satisfy the requirements of
GR-55.
GR-68.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - BORDER CITY EXEMPTION-TEXARKANA: The gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from sales of tangible personal property or
services in Texarkana, Arkansas, are exempt from the tax if sold by an
established business located in Texarkana, Arkansas, and if the property or
services are exempt or not taxed in Texas. Sellers desiring to claim the border
city exemption should contact the appropriate taxing authority in Texas to
determine the tax status of the property or services in Texas and maintain
proof of that status.
GR-69.
EXEMPTIONS FROM TAX - TEXTBOOKS: The gross receipts or gross proceeds
derived from sale of textbooks, library books, or other items purchased by the
State of Arkansas pursuant to the provisions contained in Ark. Code Ann. §
6-21-401 et seq. and which
are to be distributed free of any charge to the public schools of Arkansas are
exempt from the tax. This exemption does not apply to colleges, universities,
or other post-secondary education facility.
GR-70.
TAXABLE SALES - CREDIT
UNIONS: From and after the effective date of these regulations, sellers
shall be required to collect and remit the tax on gross receipts or gross
proceeds derived from sales of tangible personal property and taxable services
to state chartered credit unions.
GR-71.
TAX COLLECTED BY SELLER -
BRACKET SYSTEM - PROHIBITED PRACTICE-TAX DUE ON GROSS RECEIPTS - LOCAL
TAXES:
A. The gross receipts tax must
be collected by the seller of tangible personal property or taxable services in
all cases except those cases where the tax is to be paid directly to the
State.
B. The amount of tax to be
collected by the seller is four and one-half percent (4%%) of the gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale.
C. The following brackets may be followed by
sellers in computing the gross receipts tax due upon a particular sale:
|
Amount of Sale
|
Tax
|
|
0.00 to 0.11
|
0.00
|
|
0.12 0.33
|
0.01
|
|
0.34 0.55
|
0.02
|
|
0.56 0.77
|
0.03
|
|
0.78 0.99
|
0.04
|
|
1.00 1.22
|
0.05
|
|
1.23 1.44
|
0.06
|
|
1.45 1.66
|
0.07
|
|
1.67 1.88
|
0.08
|
|
1.89 2.11
|
0.09
|
|
2.12 2.33
|
0.10
|
|
2.34 2.55
|
0.11
|
|
2.56 2.77
|
0.12
|
|
2.78 2.99
|
0.13
|
|
3.00 3.22
|
0.14
|
|
3.23 3.44
|
0.15
|
|
3.45 3.66
|
0.16
|
|
3.67 3.88
|
0.17
|
|
3.89 4.11
|
0.18
|
|
4.12 4.33
|
0.19
|
|
4.34 4.55
|
0.20
|
|
4.56 and above-scaled accordingly
|
The use of the above bracket system does not relieve the seller from
the duty to remit an amount equal to four and one-half percent (4%%) of the
gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from all sales during the taxable
period including an amount equal to the cost of all merchandise withdrawn from
stock.
D. In computing the
tax to be collected upon any particular sale, the total sales price of the
property sold must first be calculated and then tax applied accordingly.
Sellers may not compute tax upon each item sold in a particular
transaction.
E. Sellers are liable
for an amount equal to four and one-half percent (.4%%) of the gross receipts
or gross proceeds derived from all sales during the taxable period as explained
previously in this regulation. The tax must be computed by multiplying the tax
rate, four and one-half percent (4%%), times the amount of the total combined
gross receipts during the taxable period.
F. Local taxes. Towns, cities, and counties
have authority under Arkansas law to levy sales taxes. Some of these taxes are
administered by the Commissioner of Revenues. Taxpayers should contact the
Sales and Use Tax Section of the Revenue Division if they have a question as to
whether they are within a jurisdiction which requires them to collect and remit
a local tax. When the Commissioner is authorized or required to collect or
administer a local sales tax, that tax shall be administered in accordance with
these regulations. For specific rules concerning the administration of local
sales taxes see GR-91.
GR-72.
SELLERS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN
PERMIT - DEPOSIT OR BOND:
A. Every
person liable to remit the tax or make a return or report for the purpose of
claiming any exemption from the payment of the tax levied by Ark. Code Ann.
§
26-52-101 et
seq. shall make application for a permit on forms prescribed by the
Commissioner. The permit application must be completed in all relevant respects
and must be signed by the person making application for the permit or an
authorized agent of the person making application for the permit. If an agent
makes application for a permit on behalf of his principal, a copy of the
document authorizing him to act on behalf of his principal must be attached to
the application. A separate permit for each business location in Arkansas must
be obtained.
B.
(1) Each application shall be accompanied by
a tax deposit of $250.00. The deposit shall be credited against the taxpayer's
account for use against future State tax liability.
(2) If no tax liability exists after the
taxpayer has been in business for 6 months or after the taxpayer discontinues
business, the taxpayer may apply for a refund of the credit balance on forms
supplied by the Commissioner. Each request for refund may be subject to
verification by audit.
C. Failure to obtain a permit may subject a
person making sales of tangible personal property or taxable services to either
criminal or civil sanctions, or both, as provided by law.
D. Every permit obtained must be surrendered
to the Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue Division, Sales and
Use Tax Section upon the discontinuance of business at any location for which
the permit was issued. Failure to surrender the permit in such instances shall
constitute sufficient cause to subsequently refuse the person a permit required
by these regulations.
GR-73.
CANCELLATION OF PERMIT:
Failure to comply with any requirement of Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-101 et
seq. or with any provision of these Regulations shall constitute sufficient
grounds for cancellation of any permit issued under the authority of the Code
or the Regulations.
GR-74.
EXEMPTION CLAIMS: The Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue
Division,- does not issue exemption certificates. Consumers who represent, to
sellers that their purchases of property or services are exempt from the tax
must conclusively prove their entitlement to the exemption to the seller.
Even though the seller accepts the consumer's representations that the
transaction is exempt from the tax, seller shall be liable for the tax if the
transaction does not, in fact, qualify for an exemption. Sellers are,
therefore, encouraged to obtain indemnification agreements from their customers
claiming exemption.
Valid retail permits, or resale permits, including those issued by
other states, may be accepted by Arkansas sellers if the requirements of GR-53,
relating to Arkansas retail permits, are satisfied. Retail permits may not be
used to establish entitlement to any exemption other than the 'sale for resale"
exemption.
GR-75.
LETTER OPINIONS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT: The propriety of the
taxation or exemption of a sale may be substantiated by having a Letter Opinion
rendered by the Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue Division,
which states that the sale or transaction is taxable or exempt. A Letter
Opinion may only be relied on by a seller if it is addressed to him or is
tendered by a customer to whom it is addressed and only to the extent that all
material facts relative to the sale or transaction in question are contemplated
by the Letter Opinion request and the Letter Opinion. Requests for Letter
Opinions must specifically describe the person claiming an exemption and set
forth all material facts relevant to the questioned sale or transaction.
Letter Opinions may not be relied on if more than three (3) years old,
but may be renewed on request. The effect of Letter Opinions may change at any
time as a result of legislative action, court interpretation and changes in
these regulations without actual notice to any holder of a Letter
Opinion.
If the Letter Opinion contains such language, as "based upon the facts
presented in your opinion request of . . .", then a copy of the Letter Opinion
request must accompany the Letter Opinion at all times.
GR-76.
NO OTHER OPINIONS BINDING:
No opinion, whether formal or informal, issued by any other agency can
be binding on the Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue
Division.
GR-77.
REPORTS,
RETURNS AND REMITTANCES:
A. Monthly
Report:
(1) The tax shall be due and payable
on the first day of every month by any person liable for the payment of any tax
due.
(2) It is the duty of all
taxpayers (sellers) to deliver to the Commissioner, on or before the twentieth
(20th) day of each month, a return under oath showing the total combined gross
receipts or gross proceeds derived from all taxable sales, and the total
combined gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from all nontaxable or exempt
sales, during the preceding calendar month. Date of mailing of a return as
reflected by the postmark of the United States Postal Service is deemed to be
the date of delivery. The following information must also appear on the return:
(a) the name and address of the business (if
the name or address of the business has changed, the new name or address must
be submitted to the Department along with the old name or address of the
business);
(b) the permit number of
the business;
(c) the amount of tax
due and payable with the return;
(d) a brief statement of the nature of the
claimed nontaxable or exempt gross receipts (e.g., "sales to hospitals",
"manufacturing exemption", "nontaxable services", etc.) and
(e) if the business has engaged in unusual
business activities unrelated to the regular business activities of the
business reflected upon the application for permit or previous returns (e.g.,
seller of property began to furnish either taxable or nontaxable services to
its customers; seller of property is contemplating the sale of his business,
etc.), then the taxpayer must so note on a statement attached to the
return.
(3) The
appropriate amount of tax due and payable and as reflected on the return must
accompany the returns as required herein.
(4) Each taxpayer having average net sales of
more than $200,000 per month for the preceding calendar year shall make two (2)
tax payments for each month. Each payment shall equal forty percent (40%) of
the tax due on the monthly average net sales and shall be made on or before the
twelfth and twenty-fourth day of each month. The balance of tax due on actual
gross receipts for each month shall be paid with the monthly report.
B. Quarterly Report: When the total
amount of tax for which such taxpayer is liable for any month does not exceed
$100.00, quarterly reports may be made on or before July 20, October 20,
January 20, and April 20 of each year.
C. Yearly Report: When the total amount of
tax for which such taxpayer is liable for any month does not exceed $25.00, a
yearly report may be made on or before January 20 of each year.
D. Returns and remittances by the taxpayer as
described in this regulation do not constitute an assessment of tax for audit
or examination purposes.
GR-78.
CASH BASIS RETURNS: Any
taxpayer who does business wholly or partly on a credit basis may apply to the
Commissioner for permission to prepare returns on the basis of cash actually
received. If the Commissioner determines that the State of Arkansas will not
suffer any loss of tax upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived by the
applicant from the sale of tangible personal property or taxable services due
to the cash basis method of accounting for gross receipts, the application
shall be granted.
Any taxpayer making such application shall be taxable on the gross
receipts collected by him during the taxable period including, but not limited
to, all service charges, late payment penalties collected, bad debts, losses or
expenses. No person may report on the cash basis unless permission has been
expressly granted by the Commissioner.
Taxpayer must keep accurate and complete records which reflect the
amount of cash sales and credit sales. These records must show collections on
accounts and be open for inspection and audit by the Commissioner of Revenues
or his agents. See GR-18(J) and Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-309.
GR-79.
PERSONS LIABLE FOR
TAX:
A. The tax must be collected,
reported and remitted by the seller of tangible personal property; the seller
or collector of admissions to places of amusement, recreational or athletic
events; the seller of privileges of access to, or the use of amusement,
entertainment, athletic, or recreational facilities; and by any other person
furnishing any service subject to the tax.
B. If the seller of tangible personal
property or taxable services is a corporation and if the corporation fails to
collect, truthfully account for, and remit the proper amount of tax, interest
and penalty, then the officers or employees of the corporation charged with
those duties shall also be personally, jointly and severally liable for a
penalty equal to the amount of the tax.
GR-80.
TAXPAYER TO KEEP ADEQUATE
RECORDS - PRESERVATION OF RECORDS - ESTIHATED ASSESSMENT:
(1)
In General.
Every taxpayer doing business in this state or storing, using, or otherwise
consuming in this state tangible personal property purchased from a retailer
shall keep complete and adequate records as may be necessary for the
Commissioner to determine the amount of sales or use tax for the payment and
collection of which that taxpayer is liable. Unless the Commissioner authorizes
an alternative method of recordkeeping in writing, these records shall show:
a. Gross receipts from sales, or rental
payments from leases, of tangible personal property (including any services
that are a part of the sale or lease) made in this state, irrespective of
whether the taxpayer regards the receipts to be taxable or
nontaxable.
b. All deductions
allowed by law and claimed in filing the return.
c. Total purchase price of all tangible
personal property purchased for sale or consumption or lease in this state.
These records must include the normal books of account ordinarily
maintained by the average prudent businessman engaged in such business,
together with all bills, receipts, invoices, cash register tapes, or other
documents of original entry supporting the entries in the books of account
together with all schedules or working papers used in connection with the
preparation of tax returns.
(2)
Microfilm and Microfiche
Records. Records, including general books of account, such as cash
books, journals, voucher registers, ledgers and like documents may be
microfilmed or microfiched, as long as such microfilmed and microfiched records
are authentic, accessible, and readable and the following requirements are
fully satisfied:
a. Appropriate facilities are
to be provided for preservation of the films or fiche for the periods required
and open to examination and the taxpayers must agree to provide transcriptions
of any information on microfilm or microfiche which may be required for
verification of tax liability.
b.
All microfilmed and microfiched data must be indexed, cross-referenced and
labeled to show beginning and ending numbers and to show beginning and ending
alphabetical listing of documents included, and must be systematically filed to
permit ready access.
c. Taxpayer
must make available upon request of the Commissioner a reader/printer in good
working order at the examination site for reading, locating and reproducing any
record concerning sales and/or use tax liability maintained on microfilm or
microfiche.
d. Taxpayer must set
forth in writing the procedures governing the establishment of its microfilm or
microfiche system and the individuals who are responsible for maintaining and
operating the system with appropriate authorization from the Board of
Directors, general partner(s) , or owner, whichever is applicable.
e. The microfilm or microfiche system must be
complete and must be used consistently in the regularly conducted activity of
the business.
f. Taxpayer must
establish procedures with appropriate documentation so that the original
document can be followed through the microfilm or microfiche system.
g. Taxpayer must establish internal
procedures for microfilm or microfiche inspection and quality
assurance.
h. Taxpayers are
responsible for the effective identification, processing, storage, and
preservation of microfilm or microfiche, making it readily available for as
long as the contents may be material in the administration of any state revenue
law.
i. Taxpayer must keep a record
identifying by whom the microfilm or microfiche was produced.
j. When displayed on a microfilm or
microfiche reader (viewer) or reproduced on paper, the material must exhibit a
high degree of legibility and readability. For this purpose, legibility is
defined as the quality of a letter or numeral that enables the observer to
identify it positively and quickly to the exclusion of all other letters or
numerals. Readability is defined as the quality of a group of letters or
numerals being recognizable as words or complete numbers.
k. All production of microfilm or microfiche
and processing duplication, quality control, storage, identification, and
inspection thereof must meet industry standards as set forth by the American
National Standards Institute, National Micrographics Association, or National
Bureau of Standards.
(3)
Records Prepared by Automated Data Processing Systems
(ADP). An ADP tax accounting system may be used to provide the
records required for the verification of tax liability. Although ADP systems
will vary from one taxpayer to another, all such systems must include a method
of producing legible and readable records which will provide the necessary
information for verifying such tax liability. The following requirements apply
to any taxpayer who maintains any such records on an ADP system:
a. Recorded or Reconstructible Data. ADP
records shall provide an opportunity to trace any transaction back to the
original source or forward to a final total. If detailed printouts are not made
of transactions at the time when they are processed, the systems must have the
ability to reconstruct these transactions.
b. General and Subsidiary Books of Account. A
general ledger, with source references, shall be written out to coincide with
financial reports for tax reporting periods. In cases where subsidiary ledgers
are used to support the general ledger accounts, the subsidiary ledgers shall
also be written out periodically.
c. Supporting Documents and Audit Trail. The
audit trail shall be designed so that the details underlying the summary
accounting data may be identified and made available to the Commissioner upon
request. The system shall be so designed that supporting documents, such as
sales invoices, purchase invoices, credit memoranda, and like documents are
readily available.
d. Program
Documentation. A description of the ADP portion of the accounting system shall
be made available. The statements and illustrations as to the scope of
operations shall be sufficiently detailed to indicate:
(A) the application being
performed;
(B) the procedures
employed in each application (which, for example, might be supported by flow
charts, block diagrams or other satisfactory descriptions of the input or
output procedures); and
(C) the
controls used to insure accurate and reliable processing. Important changes,
together with their effective dates, shall be noted in order to preserve an
accurate chronological record.
e. Data Storage Media. Adequate record
retention facilities shall be available for storing tapes and printouts, as
well as all supporting documents as may be required by law.
(4)
Records
Retention. All records pertaining to transactions involving sales
or use tax liability shall be preserved for a period of not less than 6
years.
(5)
Examination
of Records. All of the foregoing records shall be made available
for examination on request by the Commissioner or his authorized
representatives.
(6)
Failure of the Taxpayer to Maintain and Disclose Complete and
Adequate Records
Upon failure by the taxpayer, without reasonable cause, to
substantially comply with the requirements of this regulation, the Commissioner
shall:
a. Impose and not abate or
reduce in amount any penalty as may be authorized by law.
b. Enter such other order as may be necessary
to obtain compliance with this regulation in the future by any taxpayer found
not to be in substantial compliance with the requirements of this
regulation.
GR-81.
ASSESSMENTS AND HEARINGS:
This section shall govern the assessments of tax and any subsequent
administrative proceedings.
A. If, upon audit
or examination, the Commissioner of Revenues or his duly authorized agent
determines there is additional tax due, the Commissioner shall prepare a
schedule reflecting the amount of additional tax, interest and penalties
payable and shall furnish to the taxpayer, if available, a copy of this
schedule. A "Notice of Proposed Assessment" and "Taxpayer's Bill of Rights"
shall also be mailed to the taxpayer at the address listed upon the application
for retail permit or the actual business address of the taxpayer.
B. If a taxpayer objects to the Notice of
Proposed Assessment, he must file his protest in writing within thirty (30)
days of receipt of the Notice of Proposed Assessment setting forth under oath
facts and/or law supporting his protest of the assessment. Said protest shall
be mailed to the address set forth in the Notice of Proposed Assessment. If the
taxpayer fails to file a written protest within thirty (30) days of receipt of
the Notice of Proposed assessment, then the Commissioner shall issue by
certified mail, return receipt, a Notice of Final Assessment. Failure to pay
the Notice of Final Assessment within thirty (30) days of receipt shall subject
the taxpayer to the filing of a Certificate of Indebtedness, constituting a
judgment, and to the collection remedies available to the
Commissioner.
C. If the taxpayer
files a written protest of the Notice of Proposed Assessment within the thirty
(30) day time period set forth in Section (B), then the taxpayer will be
granted a hearing before a Hearing Officer or a panel of Hearing Officers. The
Hearing Officer(s) shall set the time and place for the hearing which will be
in any city in which the Revenue Division maintains a Field Audit District
Office, or in such city as the Commissioner of Revenue, in his discretion, may
designate.
D. At the hearing the
taxpayer has the option of:
(1) appearing in
person and representing himself or being represented by an authorized
spokesperson for the presentation of evidence or argument in support of his
protest of the assessment or
(2)
not personally appearing, but requesting that a hearing be held and a decision
rendered by the Hearing Officer upon the basis of documentation or written
arguments submitted by the taxpayer. The taxpayer shall indicate in his request
for hearing whether he desires to personally appear for the hearing or whether
he requests that the decision of the Hearing Officer be rendered on the basis
of written documents submitted. In either instance an attorney for the Revenue
Division may appear to offer evidence and legal argument in support of the
Notice of Proposed Assessment.
E. Upon completion of the hearing and
submission of all documentary evidence and argument, the Hearing Officer shall
render a decision in writing and serve copies upon the taxpayer and the Office
of Revenue Legal Counsel. If the Notice of Proposed Assessment is sustained in
whole or in part, the taxpayer may request in writing, within twenty (20) days
of the mailing of the decision, that the Commissioner of Revenue revise the
decision of the Hearing Officer. The request for revision to the Commissioner
by the taxpayer shall state the legal or factual basis for the revision. If the
Commissioner affirms the written decision of the Hearing Officer or if the
taxpayer fails to request the Commissioner to revise the decision, then a
Notice of Final Assessment shall be issued, by certified mail return receipt,
to the taxpayer based upon the decision of the Hearing Officer or request for
revision by the Commissioner.
F.
Within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the Notice of Final Assessment
provided for in Section (E), a taxpayer may seek judicial relief by either:
(1) paying the amount of the tax deficiency,
plus any penalty or interest under protest, and filing suit in Chancery Court
within one (1) year from the date of payment under protest to recover said sum
paid under protest. Failure of the taxpayer to file suit within one (1) year
from the date of payment under protest will result in the payment being
released from the protest fund in satisfaction of the assessment, or;
(2) filing with the Commissioner a surety
bond approved by the Commissioner in double the amount of the tax deficiency,
interest and penalty and filing suit in Chancery Court within thirty (30) days
to stay the determination of the Commissioner. The taxpayer shall faithfully
and diligently prosecute the suit to a final determination and shall pay any
deficiency found by the Court to be due and any court cost assessed against
him. The failure of the taxpayer to file suit, diligently prosecute the suit or
pay any tax deficiency and court costs shall result in the forfeiture of the
bond in the amount of the assessment and assessed court costs.
GR-82.
INTEREST
ACCRUED ON UNDERPAYMENTS OF TAX - RATE:
For all tax periods beginning after midnight, July 3, 1983, interest on
underpayments of tax shall be due and payable at the rate of ten percent per
annum from the date such tax was due to be paid until the date of
payment.
GR-83.
OVERPAYMENTS AND REFUNDS - INTEREST ON OVERPAYMENTS AND REFUNDS:
A. After an examination of a return, if it
shall appear that a taxpayer has overpaid the amount of tax required to be
paid, then the excess so paid with interest at the rate specified below may be
credited against a subsequent tax or refund at the option of the taxpayer. If
the amount overpaid was collected by the taxpayer from his customers, then the
taxpayer must establish that he has borne the tax in question, repaid the tax
to persons from whom collected, or obtain consent of such person to the
allowance of the refund or credit. The rate of interest on overpayments is ten
percent (10%) per annum. If an overpayment of tax is refunded by the
Commissioner within ninety (90) days after the date provided for filing the
return for the tax, no interest shall be allowed on the overpayment.
B. If a taxpayer believes an overpayment has
occurred, an amended return or verified claim for refund may be filed. The
claim shall specify the name of the taxpayer, the time when and the period for
which the tax was paid, the amount of tax claimed to have been erroneously
overpaid, and the grounds upon which a refund is claimed. The Commissioner
shall then determine what amount of refund is due as soon as practicable after
a claim has been filed, and in any event within six (6) months after the filing
of such claim. The Commissioner shall then make a written determination and
give notice to the taxpayer concerning whether a refund is due. If a refund is
due, the Commissioner shall certify that the claim is to be paid to the
taxpayer as provided by law or credited against taxes due or to become
due.
C. No claim for refund will be
allowed if made after the expiration of the period of limitation for assessment
of additional tax.
GR-84.
DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT -
FAILURE TO FILE PENALTY - FAILURE TO PAY PENALTY - PROCEDURE WHEN BOTH
PENALTIES ARE ASSESSED:
A. Discount for
Prompt Payment. If the tax is remitted to the Commissioner on or before the due
date required by regulation GR-77, the taxpayer is entitled to deduct two
percent (2%) of the tax due as a discount for prompt payment of the tax.
Failure to remit the tax on or before the due date shall result in a forfeiture
of the two percent (2%) discount and the full amount of the tax due must be
remitted.
B. Failure to File
Penalty. If a taxpayer fails to file a return on or before the first day of the
month following the month in which a return was required to be filed, there
shall be added to the tax a penalty of five percent (5%) of the tax due for
each month or fraction of a month that the report remains unfiled. The penalty
shall not exceed thirty-five percent (35%) of the tax due. No penalty will be
assessed if the failure to file is due to reasonable cause and not to willful
neglect. If a penalty is assessed for failure to pay tax, no penalty will be
assessed for failure to file a return.
C. Failure to Pay Penalty. If a taxpayer
fails to pay the reported tax on or before the first day of the month following
the month in which the payment was required, there shall be added to the tax a
penalty of five percent (5%) of the tax due for each month or fraction of a
month that the tax remains unpaid. The penalty shall not exceed thirty-five
percent (35%) of the tax due. No penalty will be assessed if the failure to pay
is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. If a penalty is assessed
for failure to file a return, no penalty will be assessed for failure to pay
tax.
D. A penalty of fifty dollars
($50.00) per return will be assessed when a taxpayer continues to disregard
previous notification by the Director that the taxpayer has
(1) failed to include required information on
a return;
(2) included false
information on a return;
(3) failed
to file a return; or
(4) failed to
notify the Director that the taxpayer is no longer required to file a return.
No penalty will be assessed if the taxpayer's failure is due to
reasonable cause and not willful neglect.
GR-85.
NEGLIGENCE AND FRAUD
PENALTIES:
A. If any part of a
deficiency in tax is determined to be due to negligence or intentional
disregard of these regulations or state law, then a penalty of ten percent
(10%) of the deficiency shall be added. If a penalty under GR-84 is assessed,
no negligence penalty will be assessed.
B. If any part of a deficiency in tax
required to be shown on a return is determined to be due to fraud, there shall
be added to the tax an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the deficiency,
in addition to any interest provided by law.
GR-86.
BAD CHECKS: If any person
makes payment to the Commissioner by means of a check, draft, or order drawn on
any bank, person, firm or corporation, without the Commissioner having been
paid in full, the Commissioner is authorized and empowered to impose a penalty
of ten percent (10%) of the face amount of such check, draft or order, or Ten
Dollars ($10.00) whichever is greater, against the maker or drawer of such
check, draft or order. This section shall not apply if the person establishes
to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that he tendered such check, draft or
order in good faith and with reasonable cause to believe it would be duly
paid.
GR-87.
DIRECT PAYMENT
TO THE STATE:
A. In his discretion, the
Commissioner may permit a consumer to accrue and remit the tax directly to the
Commissioner instead of having such tax collected and paid by the seller. In
order for a consumer to obtain a direct payment number he must show and certify
the following:
(1) that he will comply with
the provisions of Ark. Code Ann. §§
26-52-101 et
seq.,
26-53-101 et
seq. and
26-18-101 et
seq., and these regulations;
(2)
that he will faithfully report and remit the tax on or before the twentieth day
of the month for the previous month's taxable purchases.
B. Direct payment permits may be canceled by
the Commissioner at any time whenever the Commissioner determines that the
person holding the permit has not complied with the provisions of this
regulation or that the cancellation would be in the best interests of the
collection of the tax. A direct pay permittee is not entitled to any discount
for prompt payment of the tax.
C.
The tax will be remitted directly by a direct pay permit holder to the
Commissioner of Revenues. A use vendor or sales tax retailer selling to the
holder of a valid direct pay permit is not responsible for the collection of
the tax.
D. Direct pay permit
holders shall accrue and remit the local tax of the city or county where the
property purchased is first used, stored, consumed or distributed. When direct
pay permit holders purchase taxable services, they must accrue and remit the
local tax of the city or county where the services are performed.
GR-88.
TRANSIENT BUSINESS
REQUIRED TO POST BOND: Every person desiring to engage in business
within this State and who does not maintain a permanent business within this
State, shall be required to obtain a retailer's permit and post a bond
sufficient to cover the anticipated tax liability during the period the
business is to operate in this State, not to exceed one year. A bond by a
surety company or the assignment of a Certificate of Deposit in an Arkansas
financial institution is acceptable in lieu of a cash bond.
GR-89.
PERMITS ISSUED PRIOR TO
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE REGULATIONS VALID: These regulations shall not
affect the validity of any outstanding permits authorized by Ark. Code Ann.
§
26-52-201
(retail) or of any outstanding permits authorized by Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-509
(direct pay).
GR-90.
WHOLESALERS TO FURNISH LIST OF RETAILERS: It shall be the duty of
all persons, firms and corporations, and all business establishments of every
kind, engaged in the wholesale business of selling merchandise in this State,
to furnish in written form upon request of the Commissioner of Revenues of this
State, the name or names of any retailer or retailers, or other persons to whom
such sales have been made, together with the amount of such sales for any given
period, to be used by the Commissioner or his agents, for the purposes of
collecting tax as may be due this State.
GR-91.
LOCAL GROSS RECEIPTS TAXES:
The collection and administration of a gross receipts tax collected for
any town, city, or county by the Commissioner of Revenues shall be collected
and administered in accordance with these regulations.
A. Single Transactions. All local taxes shall
be collected only to a maximum of $25.00 on any single transaction. The term
'single transaction" is defined by ordinance by each taxing jurisdiction.
Because the definition of single transaction may vary from local taxing
jurisdiction to jurisdiction, taxpayers should familiarize themselves with the
definition of single transaction for those jurisdictions in which they operate.
Appropriate local authorities should be contacted to obtain the single
transaction definition for each jurisdiction. In a jurisdiction which has
enacted more than one local tax by separate ordinances, the maximum tax limit
shall apply to each tax.
B.
Determination of Taxable Sales:
1. Motor
Vehicles and Trailers - The local sales tax levied by the city and county of
the purchaser's residence shall be due on the sale of a motor vehicle or
trailer.
2. Other Sales - The local
sales tax levied on sales of tangible personal property other than motor
vehicles shall be at the rate of the city and county where the seller is
located. The tax shall be applicable to sales to residents and nonresidents of
the levying city and county unless the provisions of B(4) apply.
3 . Services - The local sales tax on
services shall be at the rate imposed by the city and county where the services
are performed.
4. Exemptions -
Local sales tax is not applicable to sales of tangible personal property to
nonresidents of the levying city and county if the sale is made for delivery to
an address which is in a city or county that does not impose a local tax and
(a) the sale is of property sold primarily through meter and route delivery or
(b) the sale is of aviation fuel; distillate special fuel used for agricultural
purposes; agricultural machinery; parts, repairs and supplies for agricultural
machinery; water wells and well supplies; agricultural feed, seed and
fertilizer; or agricultural chemicals. The actual sale and delivery must be
documented by invoice. (See also GR-87(d)).
C. Direct Pay Permit Holders:
1. A direct pay permit holder that makes
taxable purchases of tangible personal property shall report and pay local
sales or use tax on those purchases. The local tax shall be calculated at the
rate imposed by the city and county in which the property is first used,
stored, consumed or distributed. 2. A direct pay permit holder that makes
taxable purchases of services shall report and pay local sales tax on those
purchases. The local tax shall be calculated at the rate imposed by the city
and county in which the services are performed.
ARKANSAS COMPENSATING (USE) TAX
REGULATIONS
Pursuant to the authority vested in the Commissioner of Revenues and in
compliance with §3 of Act 434 of 1967 and Act 583 of 1973, the
Commissioner of Revenues of the Arkansas Department of Finance and
Administration, with the approval of the Governor, does hereby promulgate the
following rules and regulations for the enforcement and administration of Ark.
Code Ann. §
26-53-101 et
seq.
UT-1.
EFFECTIVE DATE: All
regulations previously promulgated by the Commissioner of Revenues for the
purposes of enforcing or implementing Ark. Code Ann. §
26-53-101 et
seq. are hereby specifically repealed as of the effective date of these
regulations. These regulations shall be effective from and after midnight,
November 1, 1992.
UT-2.
PURPOSE OF THE REGULATIONS: The following regulations are
promulgated to implement and clarify Ark. Code Ann. §
26-53-101 et
seq. All persons affected by the Compensating Tax Act are advised to first read
the Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax Act (Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-101 et
seq.) and the regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Revenues pursuant
thereto since the Gross Receipts Tax Act and the Compensating Tax Act are
complimentary legislative enactments and should be read together. The following
regulations are intended to clarify only those portions of the Arkansas
Compensating Tax Act which are different from the Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax
Act and the regulations promulgated thereto. When there is no conflict in the
law or regulations, then the Gross Receipts Regulations shall
control.
UT-3.
DEFINITIONS:
For the purposes of these regulations, unless otherwise required by
their context, the following definitions apply:
A. The term "purchaser" means and includes
any person who is the recipient for a valuable consideration of any sale of
tangible personal property acquired for use, storage, consumption or
distribution in this State.
B. The
term 'sale" means any transfer, barter or exchange of the title or ownership of
tangible personal property; or the right to use, store, consume or distribute
the same for a consideration paid or to be paid, in installments or otherwise,
and includes any transaction whether called leases, rentals, bailments, loans,
conditional sales, or otherwise, not withstanding that the title or possession
of said property, or both, is retained for security. For the purpose of this
regulation the place of delivery of tangible personal property to the
purchaser, user, storer, consumer or distributor shall be deemed to be the
place of sale, whether such delivery is made by the vendor or by common
carriers, private contractors, mails, express, agents, salesmen, solicitors,
hawkers, representatives, consignees, peddlers, canvassers, or
otherwise.
C. The term "vendor"
means and includes every person engaged in making sales of tangible personal
property by mail order, by advertising, by agent; or by peddling tangible
personal property, soliciting, or taking orders for sales of same, for storage,
use, consumption or distribution in this State. Irrespective of whether persons
are making sales on their own behalf or on behalf of others, such persons are
regarded as vendors for the purposes of this Act.
D. The term "use" means and includes the
exercise of any right or power over tangible personal property incidental to
the ownership or control of that property, except that it shall not include the
sale of that property in the regular course of business.
E. The term 'storage" means and includes any
keeping or retention in this State of tangible personal property purchased from
a vendor for any purpose, except sale or subsequent use solely outside this
State. If a "use" of the property occurs in this State within the scope of
paragraph D of this Regulation, the use tax will apply to the property even
though the property is stored and subsequently used outside the State of
Arkansas.
F. The term "purchase"
means the sale of tangible personal property by a "vendor" to a person for the
purpose of storage, use, consumption or distribution in this State.
Furthermore, for the purposes of this regulation, the term "purchase" also
includes any withdrawal of tangible personal property from a stock or reserve
maintained out of the State by any person and subsequently brought into this
State and thereafter stored, consumed, used or distributed by that person or by
any other person, and in such event, the tax shall be computed on the value of
such tangible personal property at the time it is brought into this State;
provided, however, that no tax shall be computed to the extent that such
withdrawal consists of carbonaceous materials such as petroleum, coke or carbon
anodes which are to be directly used or consumed in the electrolytic reduction
process of producing tangible personal property for ultimate sale at
retail.
G. The term "sales price"
shall mean the consideration paid or given, or contracted to be paid or given,
by the purchaser to the vendor for the article of tangible personal property,
including any services that are a part of the sale, valued in money, whether
paid in money or otherwise, and including any amount for which credit is given
to the purchaser by the vendor, without any deduction therefrom on account of
the costs of the property sold, the costs of materials used, labor or service
costs, interest charged, losses or any other expenses whatsoever; provided that
cash discounts allowed and taken on sales shall not be included and "sales
price" shall not include the amount charged for property returned by customers
upon rescission of the contract of sales where the entire amount charged
therefore is refunded either in cash or credit or the amount charged for labor
or services rendered in installing or applying the property sold, the use,
storage, consumption or distribution of which is taxable. "Sales price" also
includes any manufacturer's or dealer's rebates and Federal luxury excise tax.
In addition, "sales price" shall not mean or include the federal manufacturer's
excise taxes levied upon articles if such federal manufacturer's excise taxes
are separately stated or separately billed. The term shall include, in addition
to the consideration paid or given, or contracted to be paid or given, the
amount of any tariff or duty paid with respect to the importation of the
article stored, used, consumed or distributed in this State.
UT-4
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
TAX: The tax levied by Ark. Code Ann. §
26-53-101 et
seq. is 4 1/2% percent of the sales price of tangible personal property
purchased for storage, use, consumption or distribution in this State. The tax
shall be collected from every person in this State for the privilege of
storing, using, consuming or distributing any article of tangible personal
property in this State. The tax will not apply with respect to the storage,
use, consumption or distribution of any article of tangible personal property
purchased, produced or manufactured outside this State until the transportation
of such article has finally come to rest within this State or until such
article has become co-mingled with the general mass of property of this
State.
UT-5.
COLLECTION OF
TAX:
A. Every vendor making a sale of
tangible personal property directly or indirectly for the purpose of storage,
use, consumption or distribution in this State shall collect the tax from the
purchaser and give a receipt therefor. The required amount of tax collected by
the vendor from the purchaser shall be displayed separately on the document
evidencing the sale. The tax shall be displayed either as a separate line item
or included within the total sales price on the document evidencing the sale.
If the tax is included within the total sales price the vendor shall state
"Arkansas Tax Included" on the document evidencing the sale.
B. Every vendor selling tangible personal
property for storage, use, consumption or distribution in this State shall
register with the Commissioner and give the names and addresses of all agents
operating in this State and such other information as the Commissioner may
require and shall furnish all agents with a statement to the effect that the
agent's principal has been and is complying with the provisions of this
Act.
C. Irrespective of the
foregoing regulation, every person storing, using, consuming or distributing
tangible personal property in this State which was purchased from a vendor
shall be liable for the tax imposed by this Act. The liability shall not be
extinguished until the tax has been paid to the State unless that person has a
receipt from a vendor authorized by the Commissioner under such rules and
regulations as the Commissioner may prescribe to collect the tax imposed
hereunder. Such a receipt given to the purchaser, by a registered vendor, in
accordance with the foregoing regulation shall be sufficient to relieve the
purchaser from liability for the tax to which such receipt may refer.
UT-6.
ENFORCEMENT:
The tax levied by Ark. Code Ann. §
26-53-101 et
seq. shall constitute a lien upon the property of the purchaser of tangible
personal property coming within the provisions of that Act.
UT-7.
RETURN AND PAYMENT OF TAX:
Every vendor selling tangible personal property for storage, use, consumption
or distribution in this State shall on or before the 20th day of each month
file with the Commissioner a return for the preceding monthly period in such
form as may be prescribed by the Commissioner. The form shall include the total
combined sales price of all tangible personal property sold by the vendor
during such preceding monthly period, the storage, use, consumption or
distribution of which is subject to the use tax, and such other information as
the Commissioner may deem necessary for the proper administration of this Act.
The return shall be accompanied by remittance of the amount of tax required to
be collected by the vendor during the period covered by the return. The return
shall be signed by the vendor or his duly authorized agent.
Every person purchasing tangible personal property for storage, use,
consumption or distribution in this State and who has not paid the tax due to a
registered vendor, shall on or before the 20th day of each month file with the
Commissioner a return for the preceding monthly period in such form as may be
prescribed by the Commissioner. The form shall include the total sales price of
the tangible personal property purchased during such preceding monthly period
and such other information as the Commissioner may deem necessary. The return
shall be accompanied by a remittance of the amount of tax required to be paid
by the person purchasing such tangible personal property during the period
covered by the return. Such return shall be signed by the person liable for the
tax or his duly authorized agent.
UT-8.
PRESUMPTION: For the
purpose of the proper administration of Ark. Code Ann. §
26-53-101 et
seq. , and to prevent evasion of the tax and the duty to collect the tax, it
shall be presumed that tangible personal property sold by any vendor for
delivery in this State or transportation to this State is sold for storage,
use, consumption or distribution in this State unless the vendor selling such
tangible personal property shall have taken from the purchaser a certificate
signed by and bearing the name and address of the purchaser to the effect that
the property was purchased for resale. It shall be further presumed that
tangible personal property shipped, mailed, transported or brought into this
State by the purchaser thereof was purchased from a vendor for storage, use,
consumption or distribution in this State.
UT-9.
EXEMPTION: There is
specifically exempted from the tax levied in Ark. Code Ann. §
26-53-101 et
seq. the following:
A. All sales on which the
Arkansas gross receipts tax is levied and all sales which are specifically
exempted from taxation by Ark. Code Ann. §
26-52-101 et
seq.
B. Aircraft, aircraft
equipment, and railroad parts, cars, and equipment, or tangible personal
property owned and leased by aircraft, airmotive or railroad companies brought
into Arkansas solely and exclusively for (i) refurbishing, conversion or
modification within Arkansas and is not used or intended for use in this State
if such aircraft, aircraft equipment, and railroad parts, cars, and equipment
or tangible personal property is removed from this State within sixty (60) days
from the date of the completion of such refurbishing, conversion or
modification or (ii) storage for use outside or inside Arkansas regardless of
the length of time any such property is so stored in Arkansas. However, if any
such property is subsequently initially used in Arkansas, the tax shall be
applicable to the property so used in Arkansas.
NOTE: This does not exempt from taxation any materials used in the
refurbishing, conversion or modification of such property in Arkansas which are
subject to the Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax Act.
UT-10.
CONTRACTORS SPECIAL
RULES:
A. Contractors are defined to be
consumers of all tangible personal property, used, or consumed in the
performance of a contract in this State, and of all tangible personal property
stored for use or upon which the contractor may exercise any right or power, in
this State.
B. All tangible
personal property which is procured from without the State for use, storage,
consumption or distribution including machinery, equipment, repair or
replacement parts, materials and supplies used, stored or consumed by a
contractor in the performance of a contract in this State shall be subject to
the Arkansas Compensating Tax on the purchase price or its market or book value
(whichever is greater) if such property has been subjected to prior use before
coming to rest for use, storage or consumption within this State. Such tax
shall be due and payable regardless of whether or not any right, title, or
interest in the tangible personal property becomes vested in the
contractor.
C. In the case of
leases or rentals of tangible personal property by a contractor for use,
storage, consumption or distribution in this State, the contractor shall report
and remit the Arkansas Compensating Tax on the basis of rental or lease
payments made to the lessor of such tangible personal property during the term
of the lease or rental.
D. The
provisions shall not apply with respect to the use, consumption, storage or
distribution of tangible personal property upon which a like tax equal to or
greater than the amount imposed by Ark. Code Ann. §
26-53-101 et
seq. has been paid in another state, the proof of payment of such tax to be
according to rules and regulations made by the Commissioner of Revenues. If the
amount of tax paid in another state is not at least equal to or greater than
the amount of Arkansas use tax, then the contractor shall pay to the
Commissioner an amount sufficient to make the tax paid in the other state and
this State equal to the total amount of tax due under Arkansas law. No credit
shall be given under this section for taxes paid on such property in another
state if that state does not grant credit for taxes paid on similar tangible
personal property in this State.
UT-11.
LOCAL TAX: Towns, cities
and counties have the authority under Arkansas law to levy use taxes. Some of
these taxes are administered by the Commissioner. Vendors and purchasers should
contact the Sales and Use Tax Section of the Revenue Division if they have a
question as to whether they are within a jurisdiction which requires them to
collect and remit a local tax. When the Commissioner is authorize or required
to collect or administer a local use tax, that tax shall be administered in
accordance with these regulations. See also GR-91.
UT-12.
SERVICES: The Arkansas
compensating use tax shall not apply to services performed outside the state of
Arkansas. The tax shall apply to any tangible personal property which is a part
of the sale of services, including any parts or materials, if the property is
subsequently brought into Arkansas for storage, use, distribution or
consumption. A credit shall be allowed against the Arkansas tax for any
lawfully imposed sales or use tax paid to the state where the services were
performed or the property sold. If the sales invoice, bill of sale or other
documents fail to separately state the charge for services and the charge for
tangible personal property, the Arkansas tax will be due on the entire
consideration for the sale.