California Assembly Bill AB2688 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2688AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 26, 2012 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 18, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Committee on Revenue and Taxation (Perea (Chair), Beall, Charles Calderon, Cedillo, Fuentes, and Gordon) MARCH 12, 2012 An act to amend Sections 1154, 6055, 6203.5,  6355, 7096,  7261,  and  7262  , 9274, 30459.4, 32474, 40214, 41174, 43525, 45870, 46625, 50156.14, 55335, and 60633.1  of the Revenue and Taxation Code, relating to taxation. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2688, as amended, Committee on Revenue and Taxation. Property  taxes: air taxi: definition: State Board of Equalization: worthless accounts: bullion and coins:   taxes and  transaction and use  taxes: erroneous charges.   taxes.  Existing law requires the personal property of an air carrier to be taxed at its fair market value, and the California Constitution requires property subject to ad valorem property taxation to be assessed in the county in which it is situated. Existing law requires air taxis which are operated in scheduled air taxi operations to be assessed pursuant to a specified formula, and requires all other air taxis to be assessed in the same manner as personal property, as provided. Existing law defines "air taxi" for purposes of these provisions to mean an aircraft used by an air carrier which does not utilize aircraft having a maximum passenger capacity, as provided, and which does not hold a specified certificate or other economic authority, as provided. The bill would revise the definition of "air taxi," as provided. Existing sales and use tax laws authorize a deduction or refund of tax in the case of worthless and written-off accounts held by a retailer or lender under specified circumstances, which include establishing a proper election by filing an election with the State Board of Equalization before claiming the deduction or refund. This bill would instead require the proper election to be established by the retailer and lender preparing and retaining an election form that would not need to be prepared or retained prior to claiming any deduction or refund.  Existing sales and use tax laws impose a tax on retailers measured by the gross receipts from the sale of tangible personal property sold at retail in this state, or on the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property purchased from a retailer for storage, use, or other consumption in this state. That law provides various exemptions from those taxes, including an exemption for the gross receipts from the sales in bulk of monetized bullion, nonmonetized gold and silver bullion, and numismatic coins, and the storage, use, or other consumption of those bullion and coins, as provided, and requires the State Board of Equalization to adjust the initial bulk threshold amount on or before September 1.   This bill would change the adjustment date to October 1.  Existing laws authorize districts, as specified, to levy, increase, or extend a transactions and use tax in accordance with the Transactions and Use Tax Law. The Transactions and Use Tax Law requires that the ordinance proposing the tax include certain provisions, including a provision imposing a transactions and use tax at a rate of 0.25%, or a multiple thereof. This bill would instead authorize the levy, increase, or extension of a transactions and use tax at a rate of 0.125%, or a multiple thereof.  Existing law requires the State Board of Equalization to administer the Sales and Use Tax Law, Use Fuel Tax Law, Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax Law, Alcoholic Beverage Tax Law, Energy Resources Surcharge Law, Emergency Telephone Users Surcharge Act, Hazardous Substances Tax Law, Integrated Waste Management Fee Law, Oil Spill Response, Prevention, and Administration Fees Law, Underground Storage Tank Maintenance Fee Law, Fee Collection Procedures Law, and Diesel Fuel Tax Law, and authorizes the board to undertake collection action on delinquent accounts, including issuing a levy or notice to withhold. Under existing sales and use tax laws, a taxpayer may file a claim with the board for reimbursement of bank charges or any other reasonable 3rd-party check charge fees incurred by the taxpayer as a direct result of an erroneous levy or notice to withhold by the board or erroneous processing or collection action, within 90 days of the date of the board action. Under the other laws, a taxpayer may only file a claim for those charges or fees incurred as a direct result of an erroneous levy or notice to withhold.   This bill would extend to those other laws, the authorization for a taxpayer to also file a reimbursement claim with the board for bank charges and other reasonable 3rd-party check charge fees incurred as a direct result of an erroneous processing action or erroneous collection action by the board within 90 days of the board action. This bill would, under those other laws and the sales and use tax laws, allow the board to extend the 90-day filing period for reasonable cause.  Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 1154 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read: 1154. (a) As used in this section, "air taxi" means aircraft used by an air carrier which does not utilize aircraft having a maximum passenger capacity of more than 60 seats or a maximum payload capacity of more than 18,000 pounds in air transportation and which holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity or other economic authority issued by the United States Department of Transportation, or its successor. (b) Air taxis which are operated in scheduled air taxi operations are not subject to the provisions of Part 10 (commencing with Section 5301) of this division and shall be assessed in accordance with the allocation formula set forth in Section 1152. (c) All other air taxis shall be assessed in the county where the aircraft is habitually situated in the same manner and at the same ratio as other personal property in the county subject to general property taxation. Such aircraft shall be taxed at the same rate and in the same manner as all other property on the unsecured roll. SEC. 2. Section 6055 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read: 6055. (a) A retailer is relieved from liability for sales tax that became due and payable, insofar as the measure of the tax is represented by accounts that have been found to be worthless and charged off for income tax purposes by the retailer or, if the retailer is not required to file income tax returns, charged off in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A retailer that has previously paid the tax may, under rules and regulations prescribed by the board, take as a deduction the amount found worthless and charged off by the retailer. If these accounts are thereafter in whole or in part collected by the retailer, the amount collected shall be included in the first return filed after the collection and the tax shall be paid with the return. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "retailer" shall include any entity affiliated with the retailer under Section 1504 of Title 26 of the United States Code. (b) (1) In the case of accounts held by a lender, a retailer or lender that makes a proper election under paragraph (4) shall be entitled to a deduction or refund of the tax that the retailer has previously reported and paid if all of the following conditions are met: (A) A deduction was not previously claimed or allowed on any portion of the accounts. (B) The accounts have been found worthless and written off by the lender in accordance with the requirements of subdivision (a). (C) The contract between the retailer and the lender contains an irrevocable relinquishment of all rights to the account from the retailer to the lender. (D) The retailer remitted the tax on or after January 1, 2000. (E) The party electing to claim the deduction or refund under paragraph (4) files a claim in a manner prescribed by the board. (2) If the retailer or the lender thereafter collects in whole or in part any accounts, one of the following shall apply: (A) If the retailer is entitled to the deduction or refund under the election specified in paragraph (4), the retailer shall include the amount collected in its first return filed after the collection and pay tax on that amount with the return. (B) If the lender is entitled to the deduction or refund under the election specified in paragraph (4), the lender shall pay the tax to the board in accordance with Section 6451. (3) For purposes of this subdivision, the term "lender" means any of the following: (A) Any person that holds a retail account which that person purchased directly from a retailer who reported the tax. (B) Any person that holds a retail account pursuant to that person' s contract directly with the retailer that reported the tax. (C) Any person that is either an affiliated entity, under Section 1504 of Title 26 of the United States Code, of a person described in subparagraph (A) or (B), or an assignee of a person described in subparagraph (A) or (B). (4) For purposes of this section, a "proper election" shall be established when the retailer that reported the tax and the lender prepare and retain an election form, signed by both parties, designating which party is entitled to claim the deduction or refund. This election may not be amended or revoked unless a new election, signed by both parties, is prepared and retained by the retailer and the lender. SEC. 3. Section 6203.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read: 6203.5. (a) A retailer is relieved from liability to collect use tax that became due and payable, insofar as the measure of the tax is represented by accounts that have been found to be worthless and charged off for income tax purposes by the retailer or, if the retailer is not required to file income tax returns, charged off in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A retailer that has previously paid the amount of the tax may, under rules and regulations prescribed by the board, take as a deduction the amount found worthless and charged off by the retailer. If these accounts are thereafter in whole or in part collected by the retailer, the amount collected shall be included in the first return filed after the collection and the amount of the tax shall be paid with the return. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "retailer" shall include any entity affiliated with the retailer under Section 1504 of Title 26 of the United States Code. (b) (1) In the case of accounts held by a lender, a retailer or lender that makes a proper election under paragraph (4) shall be entitled to a deduction or refund of the tax that the retailer has previously reported and paid if all of the following conditions are met: (A) A deduction was not previously claimed or allowed on any portion of the accounts. (B) The accounts have been found worthless and written off by the lender in accordance with the requirements of subdivision (a). (C) The contract between the retailer and the lender contains an irrevocable relinquishment of all rights to the account from the retailer to the lender. (D) The retailer remitted the tax on or after January 1, 2000. (E) The party electing to claim the deduction or refund under paragraph (4) files a claim in a manner prescribed by the board. (2) If the retailer or the lender thereafter collects in whole or in part any accounts, one of the following shall apply: (A) If the retailer is entitled to the deduction or refund under the election specified in paragraph (4), the retailer shall include the amount collected in its first return filed after the collection and pay tax on that amount with the return. (B) If the lender is entitled to the deduction or refund under the election specified in paragraph (4), the lender shall pay the tax to the board in accordance with Section 6451. (3) For purposes of this subdivision, the term "lender" means any of the following: (A) Any person that holds a retail account which that person purchased directly from a retailer who reported the tax. (B) Any person that holds a retail account pursuant to that person' s contract directly with the retailer that reported the tax. (C) Any person that is either an affiliated entity, under Section 1504 of Title 26 of the United States Code, of a person described in subparagraph (A) or (B), or an assignee of a person described in subparagraph (A) or (B). (4) For purposes of this section, a "proper election" shall be established when the retailer that reported the tax and the lender prepare and retain an election form, signed by both parties, designating which party is entitled to claim the deduction or refund. This election may not be amended or revoked unless a new election, signed by both parties, is prepared and retained by the retailer and the lender.  SEC. 4.   Section 6355 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read: 6355. (a) There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this part the gross receipts from the sale in bulk of monetized bullion, nonmonetized gold or silver bullion, and numismatic coins that are substantially equivalent to transactions in securities or commodities through a national securities or commodities exchange and the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of monetized bullion, nonmonetized gold or silver bullion, and numismatic coins so sold. (b) (1) A sale in bulk, for purposes of this section, shall be deemed to have occurred if the amount of monetized bullion, nonmonetized gold or silver bullion, and numismatic coins sold in the transaction totals, in market value, the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more, or its equivalent. (2) The board shall adjust the one thousand dollar ($1,000) amount specified in paragraph (1) as follows: (A) On or before September 1, 1994, and on or before each October 1 of each year thereafter, the board shall multiply the amount applicable for the current calendar year by the inflation factor adjustment determined by the Franchise Tax Board pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 17041, the resulting amount to be the applicable amount for the succeeding calendar year. The applicable amount shall be operative as an adjustment of the amount specified in paragraph (1) only when the applicable amount computed is equal to or exceeds a new operative threshold, as defined in subparagraph (C). (B) When the applicable amount equals or exceeds an operative threshold specified in subparagraph (C), the resulting applicable amount, rounded to the nearest multiple of five hundred dollars ($500), shall be operative for purposes of paragraph (1) beginning January 1 of the succeeding calendar year. (C) For purposes of this paragraph, "operative threshold" means an amount that exceeds by at least five hundred dollars ($500), the greater of either the amount specified in paragraph (1) or the amount computed pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) as the operative adjustment to the amount specified in paragraph (1). (c) "Monetized bullion," for purposes of this section, means coins or other forms of money manufactured of gold, silver, or other metal and heretofore, now, or hereafter used as a medium of exchange under the laws of this state, the United States, or any foreign nation. "Monetized bullion," for purposes of this section, also means gold medallions struck under authority of the American Arts Gold Medallion Act (Title IV of Public Law 95-630). (d) A sale of monetized bullion, nonmonetized gold or silver bullion, or numismatic coins, for purposes of this section, shall be deemed to be substantially equivalent to a transaction in securities or commodities through a national securities or commodities exchange, if the sale is by or through a person registered pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. Sec. 1 et seq.) or not required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act.   SEC. 5.   Section 7096 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read: 7096. (a) A taxpayer may file a claim with the board for reimbursement of bank charges and any other reasonable third-party check charge fees incurred by the taxpayer as the direct result of an erroneous levy or notice to withhold, erroneous processing action, or erroneous collection action by the board. Bank and third-party charges include a financial institution's or third party's customary charge for complying with the levy or notice to withhold instructions and reasonable charges for overdrafts that are a direct consequence of the erroneous levy or notice to withhold, erroneous processing action, or erroneous collection action. The charges are those paid by the taxpayer and not waived or reimbursed by the financial institution or third party. Each claimant applying for reimbursement shall file a claim with the board that shall be in the form as may be prescribed by the board. In order for the board to grant a claim, the board shall determine that both of the following conditions have been satisfied: (1) The erroneous levy or notice to withhold, erroneous processing action, or erroneous collection action was caused by board error. (2) Prior to the erroneous levy or notice to withhold, erroneous processing action, or erroneous collection action, the taxpayer responded to all contacts by the board and provided the board with any requested information or documentation sufficient to establish the taxpayer's position. This provision may be waived by the board for reasonable cause. (b) Claims pursuant to this section shall be filed within 90 days from the date of the erroneous levy or notice to withhold, erroneous processing action, or erroneous collection action. This 90-day filing period may be extended by the board for reasonable cause. Within 30 days from the date the claim is received, the board shall respond to the claim. If the board denies the claim, the taxpayer shall be notified in writing of the reason or reasons for the denial of the claim.   SEC. 6.   SEC. 4.  Section 7261 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read: 7261. The transactions tax portion of any transactions and use taxes ordinance adopted under this part shall be imposed for the privilege of selling tangible personal property at retail, and shall include provisions in substance as follows: (a) A provision imposing a tax for the privilege of selling tangible personal property at retail upon every retailer in the district at a rate of one-eighth of 1 percent, or a multiple thereof, of the gross receipts of the retailer from the sale of all tangible personal property sold by that person at retail in the district. (b) Provisions identical to those contained in Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001), insofar as they relate to sales taxes and are not inconsistent with this part, except that the name of the district as the taxing agency shall be substituted for that of the state and that an additional transactor's permit shall not be required if a seller's permit has been or is issued to the transactor under Section 6067. (c) A provision that all amendments subsequent to the effective date of this part to Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001) relating to sales tax and not inconsistent with this part shall automatically become a part of the transactions and use taxes ordinance. However, no amendment shall operate so as to affect the rate of tax imposed by the district's board. (d) A provision that the amount subject to tax shall not include the amount of sales tax or use tax imposed by the State of California or by any city, city and county, or county pursuant to the Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law, or the amount of any state-administered transactions or use tax. (e) A provision that there are exempted from the tax the gross receipts from the sale of tangible personal property, other than fuel or petroleum products, to operators of aircraft to be used or consumed principally outside the county in which the sale is made and directly and exclusively in the use of the aircraft as common carriers of persons or property under the authority of the laws of this state, the United States, or any foreign government. (f) A provision that sales of property to be used outside the district which are shipped to a point outside the district, pursuant to the contract of sale, by delivery to that point by the retailer or his or her agent, or by delivery by the retailer to a carrier for shipment to a consignee at such point, are exempt from the tax. For purposes of this section, "delivery" of vehicles subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in compliance with Section 21411 of the Public Utilities Code, and undocumented vessels registered under Division 3.5 (commencing with Section 9840) of the Vehicle Code shall be satisfied by registration to an out-of-district address and by a declaration under penalty of perjury, signed by the buyer, stating that the address is, in fact, his or her principal place of residence. "Delivery" of commercial vehicles shall be satisfied by registration to a place of business out of district and a declaration under penalty of perjury, signed by the buyer, that the vehicle will be operated from that address. (g) A provision that the sale of tangible personal property is exempt from tax if the seller is obligated to furnish the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the operative date of the ordinance. A lease of tangible personal property which is a continuing sale of that property is exempt from tax for any period of time for which the lessor is obligated to lease the property for an amount fixed by the lease prior to the operative date of the ordinance. For the purposes of this subdivision, the sale or lease of tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant to a contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, whether or not that right is exercised.  SEC. 7.   SEC. 5.  Section 7262 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read: 7262. The use tax portion of any transactions and use tax ordinance adopted under this part shall impose a complementary tax upon the storage, use, or other consumption in the district of tangible personal property purchased from any retailer for storage, use, or other consumption in the district. The tax shall be at a rate of one-eighth of 1 percent, or a multiple thereof, of the sales price of the property whose storage, use, or other consumption is subject to the tax, and the ordinance shall include provisions in substance as follows: (a) Provisions identical to those contained in Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001), insofar as they relate to use taxes and are not inconsistent with this part, except that the name of the district as the taxing agency shall be substituted for that of the state. The name of the district shall be substituted for the word "state" in the phrase "retailer engaged in business in this state" in Section 6203 and in the definition of that phrase. The following additional provisions shall be included: (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a retailer engaged in business in the district shall not be required to collect use tax from the purchaser of tangible personal property, unless the retailer ships or delivers the property into the district or participates within the district in making the sale of the property, including, but not limited to, soliciting or receiving the order, either directly or indirectly, at a place of business of the retailer in the district or through any representative, agent, canvasser, solicitor, subsidiary, or person in the district under the authority of the retailer. (2) "A retailer engaged in business in the district" shall also include any retailer of any of the following: vehicles subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in compliance with Section 21411 of the Public Utilities Code, or undocumented vessels registered under Division 3.5 (commencing with Section 9840) of the Vehicle Code. That retailer shall be required to collect use tax from any purchaser that registers or licenses the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft at an address in the district. (b) A provision that all amendments to the provisions of Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001) relating to the use tax and not inconsistent with this part shall automatically become a part of the ordinance. However, no amendment shall operate so as to affect the rate of tax imposed by the district's board. (c) A provision that the amount subject to tax shall not include the amount of any sales tax or use tax imposed by the State of California or by any city, city and county, or county pursuant to the Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law (Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 7200)) or the amount of any state-administered transactions or use tax. (d) A provision that any person subject to a use tax under an ordinance adopted pursuant to this part shall be entitled to credit against that tax or any transactions tax, or to reimbursement for a transactions tax, paid to a district or retailer in a district imposing a transactions and use tax pursuant to this part. (e) A provision that, in addition to the exemptions provided in Sections 6366 and 6366.1, the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property, other than fuel or petroleum products, purchased by operators of aircraft, and used or consumed by the operators directly and exclusively in the use of the aircraft as common carriers of persons or property for hire or compensation under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to the laws of this state, the United States, or any foreign government, is exempt from the use tax. (f) A provision that the storage, use, or other consumption in the district of tangible personal property is exempt from the tax if the purchaser is obligated to purchase the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the operative date of the ordinance. The possession of, or the exercise of any right or power over, tangible personal property under a lease which is a continuing purchase of the property is exempt from tax for any period of time for which the lessee is obligated to lease the property for an amount fixed by a lease entered into prior to the operative date of the ordinance. For purposes of this subdivision, the storage, use, or other consumption of, or possession of, or exercise of any right or power over, tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant to a contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, whether or not the right is exercised. All matter omitted in this version of the bill appears in the bill as amended in the Senate, June 18, 2012. (JR11)