Bill Text: CA SB993 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Sales and use taxes: service tax: qualified business.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-05-16 - May 16 hearing: Heard for testimony only. [SB993 Detail]
Download: California-2017-SB993-Amended.html
Amended
IN
Senate
May 09, 2018 |
Senate Bill | No. 993 |
Introduced by Senator Hertzberg |
February 05, 2018 |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
The Sales and Use Tax Law imposes a tax on retailers measured by the gross receipts from the sale of tangible personal property sold at retail in this state, or on the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property purchased from a retailer for storage, use, or other consumption in this state.
This bill would, on and after January 1, 2019, expand the Sales and Use Tax Law to impose a tax on the purchase of services by businesses in California at a specified percentage of the sales price of the service. The bill would require the tax to be collected and remitted by the seller of the purchased services. The bill would exempt certain types of services, including health care services, from the tax and would exempt from the tax a business with gross receipts of less than $100,000 in the previous 4
quarters. The bill would require the tax to be paid to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and would require the department to transmit the payments, less refunds and cost of administration, to the Treasurer to be deposited into the Retail Sales Tax on Services Fund, which this bill would create in the State Treasury. The bill would state that the moneys in that fund are to be appropriated to provide tax relief to middle-income and low-income Californians and to assist in securing greater stability for California’s infrastructure, its workforce, and its education services, including higher education. The bill would also state various related findings and declarations.
Digest Key
Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program:Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:SEC. 2.
Section 6051 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read:6051.
(a) For the privilege of selling tangible personal property at retail a tax is hereby imposed upon all retailers at theSEC. 3.
Section 6201 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read:6201.
An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property purchased from any retailerSEC. 4.
Part 1.4 (commencing with Section 7195) is added to Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, to read:PART 1.4. Service Tax Law
CHAPTER 1. General Provisions and Definitions
7195.
(a) This part is known and may be cited as the “Service Tax Law.”7195.1.
Except where the context otherwise requires, the definitions given in this chapter govern the construction of this part.7195.3.
“Business” includes any activity engaged in by any person or caused to be engaged in by the person with the object of gain, benefit, or advantage, either direct or indirect.7195.4.
“Department” means the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.7195.5.
“In this state” means within the exterior limits of the State of California and includes all territory within these limits owned by or ceded to the United States of America.7195.7.
“Occasional sale” means a sale of services not held or used by a seller in the course of activities for which the seller is required to register with the department or would be required to register with the department if the activities were conducted in this state, provided that the sale is not one of a series of sales sufficient in number, scope, and character to constitute an activity for which the seller is required to register with the department or would be required to register with the department if the activity were conducted in this state.7195.9.
“Person” means an individual, trust, firm, joint stock company, business concern, corporation, including, but not limited to, a government corporation, partnership, limited liability company, and association. “Person” also includes any city, county, city and county, district, commission, the state or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof, any interstate body, and the United States and its agencies and instrumentalities to the extent permitted by law.7195.11.
“Purchase” means and includes any provision, exchange, or barter, conditional or otherwise, in any manner or by any means whatsoever, of service for a consideration.7195.12.
“Qualified business” means a person, including, but not limited to, a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, limited liability company, and limited liability partnership, engaged in business to provide a product or service for the purpose of producing income that is taxable under federal income tax law.7195.13.
“Receipt of the benefit of a service” means the receipt of services for any purpose other than resale of those services in the regular course of business.7195.15.
“Retail sale” or “sale at retail” means a sale for any purpose other than resale in the regular course of business in the form of services.7195.17.
(a) “Retailer” includes every seller who makes any retail sale or sales of a service.7195.19.
(a) “Retailer engaged in business in this state” means any retailer that has substantial nexus with this state for purposes of the commerce clause of the United States Constitution and any retailer upon whom federal law permits this state to impose a use tax collection duty. “Retailer engaged in business in this state” specifically includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:7195.21.
“Sale” means and includes any provision, exchange, or barter, conditional or otherwise, in any manner or by any means whatsoever, of a service for a consideration.7195.23.
(a) “Sales price” means the total amount for which a service is sold, valued in money, whether paid in money or otherwise, without any deduction on account of the cost of any expenses.7195.25.
(a) “Seller” includes every person engaged in the business of selling services of a kind the sales price from the retail sale of which is required to be included in the measure of the services tax.7195.27.
(a) “Service” means a commodity consisting of activities engaged in by a person for another person for consideration.CHAPTER 2. Imposition of Tax
CHAPTER 2.
7196.
(a) An excise tax is hereby imposed on the receipt of the benefit of a service in this state that is purchased by a qualified business from any retailer at the following rates of the sales price of the services:7196.1.
Every qualified business receiving a benefit from a service in this state purchased from a retailer is liable for the tax. The liability of the qualified business is not extinguished until the tax has been paid to this state except that a receipt from a retailer engaged in business in this state or from a retailer who is authorized by the department, under the rules and regulations as it may prescribe, to collect the tax and who is, for the purposes of this chapter relating to the tax, regarded as a retailer engaged in business in this state, given to the qualified business pursuant to Section 7196.2, is sufficient to relieve the qualified business from further liability for the tax to which the receipt refers.7196.2.
Every retailer engaged in business in this state and making sales of services whose benefit is received in this state, not exempted under Article 1 (commencing with Section 7196.60) of Chapter 4, shall, at the time of making the sales or, if the receipt of the benefit is not then taxable hereunder, at the time the receipt of the services becomes taxable, determine whether the purchaser is a qualified business, collect the tax from the qualified business purchasing the service, and give to the qualified business a receipt therefor in the manner and form prescribed by the department.7196.3.
The department, in consultation with the Franchise Tax Board, shall adopt regulations to implement the taxes imposed pursuant to this part that establish an apportionment methodology with respect to the receipt of the benefit of a service by a qualified business of a service that is engaged in business in this state and outside this state or is a part of an affiliated group of businesses as defined in Article 1 (commencing with Section 25101) of Chapter 17 of Part 11 that are engaged in business in this state and outside this state.7196.4.
Section 6203.5, regarding worthless and charged-off accounts, shall apply to this part. Except where the context otherwise requires, for purposes of this part the references in that section to tangible personal property shall include services.7196.5.
(a) The tax required to be collected by the retailer and any amount unreturned to the purchaser which is not tax but was collected from the purchaser under the representation by the retailer that it was tax constitutes debts owed by the retailer to this state.CHAPTER 3. Permits and Registration, Presumptions, and Resale Certificates
7196.50.
(a) Every person desiring to engage in or conduct business as a seller within this state, or a retailer engaged in business in this state, selling services whose benefit is received in this state shall register with the department on a form prescribed by the department, providing information as the department may require.7196.51.
(a) For the purpose of the proper administration of this part and to prevent evasion of the service tax and the duty to collect the service tax, if a service is purchased from a seller or a retailer engaged in business in this state, then it shall be presumed that the receipt of the benefit of that service is in this state until the contrary is established. The burden of proving the contrary is upon the person who makes the sale unless the person takes from the purchaser a certificate to the effect that the service is purchased for resale.7196.52.
The department, whenever it deems necessary to ensure compliance with this part, may require any person subject to this part to place with it any security that the department determines to be reasonable, taking into account the circumstances of that person. The department may sell the security at public auction if it becomes necessary to do so in order to recover any fee or any amount required to be collected, including any interest or penalty due. Notice of the sale shall be served upon the person who placed the security personally or by mail.CHAPTER 4. Exemptions
Article 1. Exemptions for Service Tax
7196.60.
There are exempt from the taxes imposed by this part the receipt of the benefit of, in this state of, all of the following:7196.62.
There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this part the receipt of the benefit of services in this state, the transfer of which to the purchaser is an occasional sale.7196.64.
There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this part the receipt of the benefit of services by a tenant from the rental, lease, or provision of real property for personal or commercial use.7196.66.
There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this part the receipt of the benefit of services that the retailer or purchaser establishes to the satisfaction of the department that the sales price was included in the measure of tax imposed by Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 6051) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 6201) of Part 1, or would have been included in the measure of tax imposed by Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 6051) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 6201) of Part 1 but was exempted by Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 6351) of Part 1.7196.68.
(a) There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this part an amount equal to an amount that is attributable to the rate of tax imposed by this chapter with respect to the sales price of services whose benefit is received in this state if the retailer is obligated to provide, or the purchaser is obligated to purchase, the services for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to January 1, 2017.7196.70.
There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this part the receipt of the benefits of services by:7196.72.
There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this part the receipt of the benefit of municipal services in this state provided by a city, county, city and county, or special district, or the receipt of the benefit of municipal services in this state by an entity with which the city, county, city and county, or special district has entered into a contract to provide those services.7196.74.
A credit shall be allowed against, but shall not exceed, the taxes imposed on any person by this part by reason of the receipt of the benefit of services in this state to the extent that the person has paid a retail sales or use tax, or reimbursement therefor, imposed with respect to that service by any other state, political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia prior to the receipt of the benefit of that service in this state. The credit shall be apportioned to the taxes against which it is allowed in proportion to the amounts of those taxes.Article 2. Exemption Certificates
7196.90.
A purchaser may certify in writing that the receipt of the benefit of the service in this state purchased from a seller or a retailer engaged in business in this state will be exempt from the service tax. The certificate shall relieve the seller from the obligation to collect the service tax only if it is taken in good faith.CHAPTER 5. Determinations
7197.
Except where the context otherwise requires, Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 55040) of Part 30, regarding determinations, shall apply to this part. For purposes of this part, any references to fees in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 55040) of Part 30 shall include the tax imposed by this part and any reference to feepayer in that chapter shall include a person liable for the payment of the tax imposed by this part.CHAPTER 6. Collection of Tax
7197.5.
Except where the context otherwise requires, Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 55121) of Part 30, regarding collection of fees, shall apply to this part. For purposes of this part, any references to fees in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 55121) of Part 30 shall include the tax imposed by this part, and any reference to feepayer in that chapter shall include a person liable for the payment of the tax imposed by this part.CHAPTER 7. Overpayments and Refunds
7197.10.
Except where the context otherwise requires, Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 55221) of Part 30, regarding overpayments and refunds, shall apply to this part. For purposes of this part, any references to fees in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 55221) of Part 30 shall include the tax imposed by this part and any reference to feepayer in that chapter shall include a person liable for the payment of the tax imposed by this part.CHAPTER 8. Administration and Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights
7197.20.
Except where the context otherwise requires, Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 55301) of Part 30, regarding administration and taxpayers’ bill of rights, shall apply to this part, and any reference to feepayer in that chapter shall include a person liable for the payment of the tax imposed by this part.CHAPTER 9. Disposition of Proceeds
7197.30.
All amounts of tax required to be paid to the state under this chapter shall be paid to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration in the form of remittances payable to the department. The department shall transmit the payments, less refunds, to the Treasurer to be deposited into the General Fund.CHAPTER 10. Violations
7197.40.
Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 55361) of Part 30, regarding violations, shall apply to this part. For purposes of this part, any references to fees in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 7152) shall include the taxes imposed by this part.CHAPTER 11. Res Judicata
7197.50.
In the determination of any case arising under this part the rule of res judicata is applicable only if the liability involved is for the same quarterly period as was involved in another case previously determined.CHAPTER 12. No Authorization of Local Tax
7197.60.
This part does not authorize a city, county, city and county, governmental subdivision, district, public and quasi-public corporation, or municipal corporation, whether or not incorporated or chartered, to levy or collect or cause to be levied or collected any tax on the receipts from the sale of, or the receipt of the benefit in this state of, services. A state agency shall not agree to administer any such tax for the benefit of any local agency.SEC. 5.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.SEC. 6.
This act provides for a tax levy within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect.(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)In order to mitigate the negative impacts in California of the recently enacted federal tax bill (Public Law 115-97), California needs to reform the state’s tax system to more equitably share responsibility for supporting critical public programs.
(2)Under the new federal tax law (Public Law 115-97), over 6 million Californians who itemize their taxes could lose on average over $8,000 in deductions. This is because the deduction for state and local income and property taxes would be capped at $10,000 by the new federal law (Public Law 115-97).
(3)The federal tax changes, coupled with potential reductions to federal programs, pose a risk to California’s economy, California families, and state government.
(4)While California’s economy has evolved, its tax system has failed to keep up with the times. Over the past 60 years, California has moved from an agriculture-based and manufacturing-based economy to a service-based economy. In California, goods are subject to sales or use tax while services generally are not.
(5)As a result, state tax revenues have become less reliant on revenues derived from the sales and use tax on goods and more reliant on revenues derived from the personal income tax. In 1950, the sales and use taxes comprised 61 percent of the state General Fund; however, today they account for about 30 percent. The personal income tax accounted for
12 percent of the General Fund in 1950; however, today it accounts for almost 70 percent.
(b)It is the intent of this act to do all of the following:
(1)Provide tax relief to middle-income and low-income Californians to make up in part for tax increases and reductions to federal programs recently enacted or proposed by the federal government.
(2)Ensure that out-of-state corporations that do business in California contribute their fair share to California’s economy.
(3)Realign a portion of the state’s outdated tax code with the realities of California’s 21st century service-based economy.
(4)Broaden the tax base by imposing a modest sales tax on services used by businesses in
California:
(A)This tax would offset a portion of the significant financial benefits provided to businesses under the new federal law. However, businesses would still be able to deduct from their federal taxes the state sales and use tax imposed on the services they use, which would mean most businesses will still pay lower taxes than before the federal changes.
(B)Health care services, education services, child care, and interest and insurance payments subject to the state gross premiums tax would be exempt from the sales tax on services.
(C)These changes would more fairly apportion taxes between goods and services and would produce more stable revenues.
(a)On and after January 1, 2019, in addition to the other taxes imposed by this part, a sales tax is hereby imposed the purchase of services by businesses in California at the rate of ____ percent of the sales price of the service.
(b)The tax shall be collected and remitted by the seller of the service purchased by a business for benefit or use in California. In cases where the service benefits or is used by a purchaser’s California and non-California operations, an appropriate share of the services shall be apportioned to California for purposes of determining the tax.
(c)The following are exempt from the tax imposed by this section:
(1)Health care, education, and child care services, and interest and insurance payments subject to the gross premiums tax.
(2)A business with gross receipts of less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in the previous four quarters.
(a)The Retail Sales Tax on Services Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury.
(b)All amounts of tax required to be paid to the state under this chapter shall be paid to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration in the form of remittances payable to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration shall transmit the payments, less refunds and cost of administration, to the Treasurer to be deposited into the Retail Sales Tax on Services Fund.
(c)Moneys in the fund shall be appropriated for the following purposes:
(1)Providing tax
relief to middle-income and low-income Californians negatively affected by recent changes to federal tax law as well as other changes to federal programs.
(2)Assisting in securing greater stability for California’s infrastructure, its workforce, and its education systems, including higher education.
This act provides for a tax levy within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect.