The Multistate Tax Commission’s (MTC) Sales and Use Tax Uniformity Subcommittee is moving forward with a broad sales tax nexus model statute that includes click-through, affiliate and attributional nexus provisions. The Subcommittee also discussed a memorandum related to class actions and false claims acts. The nexus and class action projects are in the educational stage

On March 22, 2012, Utah Governor Gary Herbert signed House Bill 384 (2012) into law, expanding the types of companies that are required to collect and remit Utah sales and use tax. HB 384 requires sellers that hold “substantial ownership interests” in certain “related sellers” to collect and remit Utah sales and use tax. Today, the Utah State Tax Commission released guidance on how to determine whether a business entity’s activities trigger the state’s new affiliate nexus law. The new nexus regulations go into effect on July 1, 2012.

The new affiliate nexus law, Utah Code Ann. § 59-12-107(2)(b), treats a seller as if it is selling tangible personal property, a service, or a product transferred electronically for use in Utah and will be required to collect and remit sales and use taxes if:Continue Reading Utah Quietly Expands Affiliate Nexus Statute

The Washington Department of Revenue (Department) determined that an out-of-state mail order retailer (Taxpayer) had substantial nexus with the state based on the activities of an in-state affiliate (Affiliate), and therefore, upheld an assessment of business and occupation tax (B&O Tax) and sales tax. Determination No. 10-0057 (released Dec. 20, 2011). The Taxpayer sold tangible

With all the drama and suspense of a Hollywood movie, California Governor Jerry Brown signed AB X1 28 on June 29—more than two weeks after the bill originally passed the California legislature. AB X1 28 has been controversial because it significantly expands California’s sales and use tax collection requirements by substantially incorporating all of the provisions of former AB 153 (click-through nexus), AB 155 (affiliate nexus), and SB 234 (constitutional nexus). Together, these changes combine California’s recent efforts to force remote sellers to collect California sales tax. To further complicate matters, AB X1 28 provides that these changes become effective immediately.

AB X1 28 amends California’s definition of “retailer engaged in business” for sales and use tax collection purposes, as set forth in Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 6203, to include three new groups of “retailers” as follows.Continue Reading Nexus Explosion: California Governor Signs Bill Expanding California Sales Tax Collection Requirements

As we reach the midway point in the multistate legislative calendar, we thought it appropriate to highlight the present and remaining schedules of state lawmakers. The following states are currently in session: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Significant state tax measures are alive and well in nearly all of these states. For example, California is considering several use tax nexus bills, several corporate income tax bills, and property tax “change-of-ownership” legislation. Nevada will consider recently introduced gross receipts tax legislation, loosely modeled after the Texas margins tax. The District of Columbia continues to advance a combined reporting proposal. The Texas legislature sent Governor Perry a sales tax affiliate nexus bill on May 13. Last but not least, year-long sessions in some of the more populous states like Illinois, Michigan, New York, and New Jersey will keep things interesting for months to come.Continue Reading Down to the Wire! State Legislative Schedules and Update

The South Carolina Tax Realignment Commission (TRAC) has released its Final Report, which includes proposed draft legislation to achieve its recommendations. As expected, the recommendations include the expansion of the sales tax base to include “data processing, software delivered over the Internet, and digital products.” In addition, the recommendations include language to expand sales tax