Applying the “true object” test to the taxpayer’s web-based services, the Tennessee Department of Revenue ruled that charges for granting access to the taxpayer’s website for purposes of obtaining information would not be subject to sales tax. While the access to web-based services is tax-exempt as a sale of
taxability
For Your Health: Health-Related Information Service Not Subject to Georgia Sales and Use Tax
By Charles Capouet and Charlie Kearns
The Georgia Department of Revenue released a letter ruling stating that a taxpayer’s health-related information service was not subject to sales and use tax. The service includes a web portal to provide health information and track the user’s personal results and the in-person performance of an annual biometric health…
Arizona Un-Commonly Understands That Database Fees Are Sales of Tangible Personal Property
By Nicole Boutros and Jeff Friedman
The Director of the Arizona Department of Revenue affirmed an Administrative Law Judge determination that a taxpayer must pay the Transaction Privilege Tax on sales of access to the taxpayer’s subscription-based online research service. The Director reasoned that these sales were taxable as rentals of tangible personal property—and not…
Crying Foul: Alabama Tax Tribunal Invalidates Regulation Requiring Direct Pay Permit Holders to Purchase all Items Tax-Free
By Chris Mehrmann and Scott Wright
The Alabama Tax Tribunal invalidated a regulation requiring a direct pay permit holder, Tyson Chicken, Inc. (Tyson), to purchase all items tax-free, finding that the regulation was both unreasonable and unduly burdensome. Although Tyson purchased most items tax-free using its direct pay permit, Tyson employees used corporate credit or…
Technical Support: Tennessee Publishes Guidance on Sales Tax Treatment of Computer Software Maintenance Contracts
By Chris Mehrmann and Charlie Kearns
The Tennessee Department of Revenue has issued guidance explaining that the retail sale of, use of, or subscription to a computer software maintenance contract is subject to sales and use tax when: (1) the maintenance contract is sold as part of a taxable sale of computer software; (2) the…
Alabama Tax Tribunal Rules That Freight Charges Not Subject to Sales Tax
By Jessica Eisenmenger and Leah Robinson
The Alabama Tax Tribunal ruled that freight charges paid by the seller but passed through on an invoice to the customer are not subject to sales tax. Alabama law exempts shipping and freight charges “paid by the purchaser” from sales tax. Chief Tax Tribunal Judge Bill Thompson ruled that such…



