The Washington Court of Appeals affirmed a Board of Tax Appeals decision that found an out-of-state bank had a sufficient physical presence in the state to be subject to Washington’s Business & Occupation (B&O) tax. The bank did not have any employees or property in Washington, but issued credit cards, including private label credits cards
Washington Department of Revenue issues draft workforce education investment surcharge rule
On February 17, 2021, the Washington Department of Revenue issued a Preproposal Statement of Inquiry regarding a proposed new rule for the business and occupation tax workforce education investment surcharge for select advanced computing businesses. A public meeting on the proposed rule is scheduled for March 10, 2021. Interested parties can submit written comments in
Battling Statutory Interpretation Principles Leads to an “Unambiguous” Result: Washington Taxes Hospitals
The Washington Supreme Court held that a business & occupation (“B&O”) tax deduction contained in RCW 82.04.4311 is limited to payments received from Washington and federal programs, but not payments received from other states’ medical programs. The B&O tax is a gross receipts tax imposed on nearly every type of enterprise, including for-profit and not-for-profit
If a Tree Falls in a Forest: Washington Court of Appeals Explains How Referral Services Are Sourced for B&O Tax Purposes
The Washington Court of Appeals held that taxpayer’s receipts for referral services are sourced to Washington for B&O tax purposes to the extent that such receipts are received from a lender located in Washington. The taxpayer operates an online platform through which the taxpayer offers educational tools on the loan process to prospective borrowers, analyzes
Podcast: Washington B&O and California LLC Tax Developments
This podcast discusses a recent Washington B&O decision and a recent California OTA decision concerning:
- The WA B&O taxation of services conducted out of state for in state customers
- The application of the CA LLC tax to a business that ceased activity in the state
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Representative Representation Required
The Washington Court of Appeals held that Seattle’s method of apportioning the City’s business and occupation tax (B&O tax) was unconstitutionally applied and unfairly apportioned when the City excluded compensation paid to independent representatives from the apportionment payroll factor. The taxpayer, a financial services firm headquartered in Seattle, generated most of its income through the
Washington Supreme Court Allows Bad Debt Deductions for Taxes Paid on Private Label Credit Card Purchases
On January 16, 2020, the Supreme Court of Washington, in an en banc decision, held that a retailer was entitled to take bad debt deductions for sales and Business and Occupation (“B&O”) taxes when its customers defaulted on purchases made using private label credit cards.
The retailer contracted with banks to offer private label credit
Pass This On: Washington Court of Appeals Holds Prescription Drug Payments Subject to B&O Tax
On March 26, 2019, the Washington Court of Appeals held that a pharmacy benefit management company’s payments from clients (e.g., health maintenance organizations, health insurers, etc.) for the value of prescription drugs, were subject to the Washington B&O tax. The taxpayer manages the clients’ prescription drug benefit programs and performs activities, including contracting with third-party
Washington Strikes and Hits Again – Nonresident Jeweler Subject to Washington B&O Tax
By Chelsea Marmor and Jonathan Feldman
The Washington Administrative Review and Hearings Division of the Department of Revenue found that an out-of-state diamond and gold wholesaler was subject to the business and occupation (B&O) tax based on in-state consigned property. The wholesaler consigned jewels to Washington jewelry retailers for five days at a time, during
Hold the Phone! Answering Your Phone in Washington Might Cost You
By Chelsea Marmor and Open Weaver Banks
The Administrative Review and Hearings Division at the Washington Department of Revenue (the Division) determined that administrative activities qualify as business activities for purposes of applying Washington’s throw-out rule under the Washington business and occupation (B&O) tax. The taxpayer, a single member LLC, performed airplane certifications on aircraft