On February 27, 2023, the Washington Court of Appeals held that a provider of pharmacy services and pharmacy benefits services (PBM) to its affiliate’s enrollees met the insurance business exemption to the Business and Occupation Tax because its activities were at least functionally related to insurance business. The taxpayer fulfilled the PBM services required by
Louisiana Board of Tax Appeals holds Internet Tax Freedom Act prohibits New Orleans tax on online storage service
On January 12, 2023, the Louisiana Board of Tax Appeals held that sales of remote personal electronic storage capacity services were not subject to the New Orleans French Quarter Economic Development District sales and use tax. A federal statute, the Internet Tax Freedom Act, prohibits states and political subdivisions from imposing taxes on Internet access.
Grounded: D.C. Court of Appeals Holds reversionary interests in land improvements subject to transfer and recordation taxes
On December 29, 2022, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals held that transfer and recordation taxes were due on the portion of consideration from a sale of land and related improvements related to reversionary interests in land improvements. The taxpayers argued that the acquisition consisted of two distinct steps: (1) taxable land sales, via
SALT Scoreboard – First Quarter 2023
This is the first edition of the Eversheds Sutherland SALT Scoreboard for 2023. Since 2016, we have tallied the results of significant taxpayer wins and losses and analyzed those results.
View our Eversheds Sutherland SALT Scoreboard results from the first quarter of 2023 now!
Manufacturer tax exemption: Missouri Supreme Court affirms applicability to telecommunications services
On April 18, 2023, the Supreme Court of Missouri affirmed the Administrative Hearing Commission’s (AHC) decision that replacement equipment used to provide telecommunications services was exempt from use tax under the State’s manufacturing exemption in effect in 2011 and 2012.
Like most States, Missouri exempts from sales and use tax equipment used in manufacturing or
Meter madness: Washington Court of Appeals holds company’s meter-reading services are non-taxable data processing services
The Washington Court of Appeals held that a company’s collection of data from electric and natural gas meters constituted data processing services exempt from the retail sales tax. The taxpayer collected data from meters used by an energy company’s customers, converted the data into a usable form, and transmitted the data to the energy company
Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission finds Skechers’ intercompany transactions lacked a valid business purpose and economic substance
On February 24, 2023, the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission upheld the Department’s assessment that Skechers’ licensing transaction with its wholly owned subsidiary, Skechers USA Inc. II (SKII), lacked a valid business purpose and economic substance. On the formation of SKII, Skechers entered into a license agreement with its subsidiary that generated significant royalty deductions, which
Coupon Craze – Pennsylvania Supreme Court holds that receipts must describe coupon to be excluded from sales tax base
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that a taxpayer was not eligible for a sales tax refund on purchases made using coupons because the receipts did not sufficiently describe the coupons, and did not clearly indicate which item(s) the coupon discounted. Where a consumer uses a coupon, Pennsylvania sales tax is generally not due on discount
No free ride: Illinois Tax Tribunal says tax due on aviation fuel consumed outside the state
The Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal found that aviation fuel sold to airlines and subsequently stored at O’Hare International Airport was not exempt from Retailer’s Occupation Tax (ROT). The taxpayer collected the ROT on the sales, but later filed for refunds claiming these sales were exempt from the ROT under the expanded temporary storage exemption. Specifically
Washington court finds procedural defect in tax collection class action against grocers
The King County Superior Court in Washington dismissed a class action lawsuit which alleged that Kroger, Whole Foods, Safeway, and Town & Country Markets improperly collected sales tax on exempt items. In dismissing the claim, the court found that the sales tax at issue is an excise tax. Further, the court found that the exclusive