Governor Glenn Youngkin has issued his proposed Virginia 2024 – 2026 Budget Bill. The Budget Bill would make three notable changes to Virginia’s tax structure, all of which would take effect on January 1, 2025: (1) increase the sales and use tax rate; (2) expand the sales and use tax base to digital products; and
Sales and Use Tax
Storage wars: Virginia company entitled to data center sales tax exemption despite prior in-state storage
In a June 1, 2023 determination, the Virginia commissioner concluded that a Virginia data center operator was entitled to a sales and use tax refund on its equipment purchases, regardless of whether they were delivered to a storage facility prior to delivery to the data center.
Virginia allows a sales and use tax exemption for…
Michigan updates sales and use tax guidance on computer software and digital goods
The Michigan Department of Treasury issued a Revenue Administrative Bulletin (RAB) describing the taxation of computer software and digital products to reflect updated case law and legislation enacted in 2004, which, among other things, defined “tangible personal property” to include “prewritten computer software.” The RAB provides that the “key feature” in determining whether prewritten software…
Washington Department of Revenue issues emergency remote sellers’ sales and use tax and B&O tax regulations
On March 23, 2023, the Washington Department of Revenue issued an emergency rule-making order. The purpose of the emergency rule was to make the public aware that certain of the Department’s administrative rules concerning remote sellers’ sales and use tax nexus and minimum nexus thresholds for the state’s business and occupation tax may be outdated.
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.
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…
Illinois DOR issues guidance on taxability of computer software licenses and maintenance agreements
The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) released a general information letter outlining the applicability of Illinois Retailers’ Occupation Tax (ROT) on computer software licenses and maintenance agreements.
The letter states that sales of “canned” computer software are taxable retail sales in Illinois and are considered to be tangible personal property regardless of the form in…
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…
North Dakota updates guidance on Wayfair small seller exception
The North Dakota Tax Commissioner updated its website to explain North Dakota’s Wayfair small seller exception to collecting and remitting state and local sales tax on sales made into the state. Consistent with North Dakota statutes, the website states that, for remote sellers with no physical presence in the state, the exception for small sellers…



