An Act To Simplify the Taxation of Leasing Tangible Personal Property and To Clarify the Incidence of Use Tax
PART A
Sec. A-1. 36 MRSA §1752, sub-§§5-D and 5-E are enacted to read:
Sec. A-2. 36 MRSA §1752, sub-§10, as repealed and replaced by PL 1997, c. 393, Pt. A, §41, is amended to read:
Sec. A-3. 36 MRSA §1752, sub-§11, ¶B, as amended by PL 2015, c. 390, §5, is further amended to read:
(1) Any casual sale;
(2) Any sale by a personal representative in the settlement of an estate unless the sale is made through a retailer or the sale is made in the continuation or operation of a business;
(3) The sale, to a person engaged in the business of renting automobiles, of automobiles, integral parts of automobiles or accessories to automobiles, for rental or for use in an automobile rented for a period of less than one year. For the purposes of this subparagraph, "automobile" includes a pickup truck or van with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds;
(4) The sale, to a person engaged in the business of renting video media and video equipment, of video media or video equipment for rental;
(5) The sale, to a person engaged in the business of renting or leasing automobiles, of automobiles for rental or lease for one year or more;
(6) The sale, to a person engaged in the business of providing cable or satellite television services or satellite radio services, of associated equipment for rental or lease to subscribers in conjunction with a sale of cable or satellite television services or satellite radio services;
(7) The sale, to a person engaged in the business of renting furniture or audio media and audio equipment, of furniture, audio media or audio equipment for rental pursuant to a rental-purchase agreement as defined in Title 9-A, section 11-105;
(8) The sale of loaner vehicles to a new vehicle dealer licensed as such pursuant to Title 29-A, section 953;
(9) The sale of automobile repair parts used in the performance of repair services on an automobile pursuant to an extended service contract sold on or after September 20, 2007 that entitles the purchaser to specific benefits in the service of the automobile for a specific duration;
(10) The sale, to a retailer that has been issued a resale certificate pursuant to section 1754-B, subsection 2-B or 2-C, of tangible personal property for resale in the form of tangible personal property, except resale as a casual sale;
(11) The sale, to a retailer that has been issued a resale certificate pursuant to section 1754-B, subsection 2-B or 2-C, of a taxable service for resale, except resale as a casual sale;
(12) The sale, to a retailer that is not required to register under section 1754-B, of tangible personal property for resale outside the State in the form of tangible personal property, except resale as a casual sale;
(13) The sale, to a retailer that is not required to register under section 1754-B, of a taxable service for resale outside the State, except resale as a casual sale;
(14) The sale of repair parts used in the performance of repair services on telecommunications equipment as defined in section 2551, subsection 19 pursuant to an extended service contract that entitles the purchaser to specific benefits in the service of the telecommunications equipment for a specific duration;
(15) The sale of positive airway pressure equipment and supplies for rental for personal use to a person engaged in the business of renting positive airway pressure equipment;
(16) The sale, to a person engaged in the business of renting or leasing motor homes, as defined in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 40, or camper trailers, of motor homes or camper trailers for rental; or
(17) The sale of truck repair parts used in the performance of repair services on a truck pursuant to an extended service contract that entitles the purchaser to specific benefits in the service of the truck for a specific duration . ; or
(18) The sale, to a retailer who has been issued a resale certificate pursuant to section 1754-B, subsection 2-B or 2-C and is engaged in the business of renting or leasing tangible personal property, of tangible personal property for lease or rental.
Sec. A-4. 36 MRSA §1752, sub-§13, as amended by PL 1981, c. 706, §20, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
Sec. A-5. 36 MRSA §1752, sub-§14, as amended by PL 2015, c. 494, Pt. A, §44, is further amended to read:
(1) Any consideration for services that are a part of a retail sale; and
(2) All receipts, cash, credits and property of any kind or nature and any amount for which credit is allowed by the seller to the purchaser, without any deduction on account of the cost of the property sold, the cost of the materials used, labor or service cost, interest paid, losses or any other expenses . ;
(3) In the case of the lease or rental for a period of less than one year of an automobile or of a pickup truck or van with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds rented from a person primarily engaged in the business of renting automobiles, the value is the total rental charged to the lessee and includes, but is not limited to, maintenance and service contracts, drop-off or pick-up fees, airport surcharges, mileage fees and any separately itemized charges on the rental agreement to recover the owner's estimated costs of the charges imposed by government authority for title fees, inspection fees, local excise tax and agent fees on all vehicles in its rental fleet registered in the State. All fees must be disclosed when an estimated quote is provided to the lessee;
(4) In the case of the lease or rental of an automobile for one year or more, the value is the total monthly lease payment multiplied by the number of payments in the lease or rental, the amount of equity involved in any trade-in and the value of any cash down payment. Collection and remittance of the tax is the responsibility of the person that negotiates the lease transaction with the lessee; and
(5) For all other lease or rental payments, the value is measured by the full amount of that payment.
(1) Discounts allowed and taken on sales;
(2) Allowances in cash or by credit made upon the return of merchandise pursuant to warranty;
(3) The price of property returned by customers, when the full price is refunded either in cash or by credit;
(4) The price received for labor or services used in installing or applying or repairing the property sold, if separately charged or stated;
(5) Any amount charged or collected, in lieu of a gratuity or tip, as a specifically stated service charge, when that amount is to be disbursed by a hotel, restaurant or other eating establishment to its employees as wages;
(6) The amount of any tax imposed by the United States on or with respect to retail sales, whether imposed upon the retailer or the consumer, except any manufacturers', importers', alcohol or tobacco excise tax;
(7) The cost of transportation from the retailer's place of business or other point from which shipment is made directly to the purchaser, provided that those charges are separately stated and the transportation occurs by means of common carrier, contract carrier or the United States mail;
(8) Any amount charged or collected by a person engaged in the rental of living quarters as a forfeited room deposit or cancellation fee if the prospective occupant of the living quarters cancels the reservation on or before the scheduled date of arrival;
(9) Any amount charged for the disposal of used tires;
(10) Any amount charged for a paper or plastic single-use carry-out bag; or
(11) Any charge, deposit, fee or premium imposed by a law of this State.
Sec. A-6. 36 MRSA §1752, sub-§17-B, as amended by PL 2013, c. 156, §2, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-7. 36 MRSA §1753, as amended by PL 2011, c. 285, §2, is further amended to read:
§ 1753. Tax is a levy on consumer
The tax imposed by this Part is declared to be a levy on the consumer. The retailer shall add the amount of the tax to the sale price and may separately state the amount of the tax separately from the sale price of tangible personal property or taxable services on price display signs, sales or delivery slips, bills and or statements that advertise or indicate the sale price of that property or those services. If the retailer does not separately state the amount of the tax separately from the sale price of tangible personal property or taxable services, the retailer shall include a statement on the sales slip or invoice presented to the purchaser or lessee that the stated price includes Maine sales tax.
Sec. A-8. 36 MRSA §1754-B, sub-§1, ¶¶A, B and C, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 640, §3, are amended to read:
Sec. A-9. 36 MRSA §1754-B, sub-§1, ¶G, as amended by PL 2013, c. 200, §3, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-10. 36 MRSA §1754-B, sub-§1-A, ¶B, as amended by PL 2013, c. 546, §10, is further amended to read:
(1) Sells or leases a similar line of products as the seller or lessor and does so under a business name that is the same as or similar to that of the seller or lessor;
(2) Maintains an office, distribution facility, warehouse or storage place or similar place of business in the State to facilitate the delivery of property or services sold or leased by the seller or lessor to the seller's its customers;
(3) Uses trademarks, service marks or trade names in the State that are the same as or substantially similar to those used by the seller or lessor;
(4) Delivers, installs, assembles or performs maintenance services for the seller's customers of the seller or lessor within the State;
(5) Facilitates the seller's delivery of property to customers of the seller or lessor in the State by allowing the seller's customers to pick up property sold by the seller at an office, distribution facility, warehouse, storage place or similar place of business maintained by the person in the State; or
(6) Conducts any activities in the State that are significantly associated with the seller's ability of the seller or lessor to establish and maintain a market in the State for the seller's sales.
A seller or lessor who meets the requirements of this paragraph shall register with the assessor and collect and remit taxes in accordance with the provisions of this Part. A seller or lessor may rebut the presumption created in this paragraph by demonstrating that the person's activities in the State are not significantly associated with the seller's ability of the seller or lessor to establish or maintain a market in this State for the seller's sales.
Sec. A-11. 36 MRSA §1754-B, sub-§1-A, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 200, §4 and affected by §6, is amended to read:
(1) Directly or indirectly refers potential customers, whether by a link on an Internet website, by telemarketing, by an in-person presentation or otherwise, to the seller or lessor; and
(2) The cumulative gross receipts from retail sales or leases made by the seller or lessor to customers in the State who are referred to the seller or lessor by all persons with this type of an agreement with the seller are in excess of $10,000 during the preceding 12 months.
A seller or lessor who meets the requirements of this paragraph shall register with the assessor and collect and remit taxes in accordance with the provisions of this Part.
A seller or lessor may rebut the presumption created in this paragraph by submitting proof that the person with whom the seller or lessor has an agreement did not engage in any activity within the State that was significantly associated with the seller's ability of the seller or lessor to establish or maintain the seller's a market in the State during the preceding 12 months. Such proof may consist of sworn, written statements from all of the persons within this State with whom the seller or lessor has an agreement stating that they did not engage in any solicitation in the State on behalf of the seller or lessor during the preceding 12 months; these statements must be provided and obtained in good faith.
A person who enters into an agreement with a seller or lessor under this paragraph to refer customers by a link on an Internet website is not required to register or collect taxes under this Part solely because of the existence of the agreement.
Sec. A-12. 36 MRSA §1754-B, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2011, c. 535, §5, is further amended to read:
If the retailer maintains a place of business in this State, the retailer shall make available a copy of the registration certificate issued for that place of business at that place of business for inspection by the assessor, the assessor's representatives and agents or authorized municipal officials. If the a retailer does not have a fixed place of business and makes sales from one or more motor vehicles, each motor vehicle is deemed to be a place of business.
Sec. A-13. 36 MRSA §1754-B, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. U, §3 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is amended to read:
Sec. A-14. 36 MRSA §1754-B, sub-§2-B, as amended by PL 2005, c. 519, Pt. OOO, §1, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-15. 36 MRSA §1754-B, sub-§2-C, as amended by PL 2013, c. 588, Pt. A, §45, is further amended to read:
A registered retailer that fails to meet the $3,000 threshold upon the annual review of the assessor is not entitled to renewal of its resale certificate except as provided in this subsection. When any such retailer shows that its gross sales receipts for a more current 12-month period total $3,000 or more or explains to the satisfaction of the assessor why temporary extraordinary circumstances caused its gross sales receipts for the period used for the assessor's annual review to be less than $3,000, the assessor shall, upon the written request of the retailer, shall issue to the retailer a resale certificate effective for the next 5 calendar years.
Sec. A-16. 36 MRSA §1754-B, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. U, §4 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-17. 36 MRSA §1756, as repealed and replaced by PL 1995, c. 640, §4, is amended to read:
§ 1756. Voluntary registration
Every seller or lessor of tangible personal property or taxable services that is not required by section 1754-B to register may register upon those terms that the assessor prescribes. Upon registration, the seller or lessor has the rights and duties of a person required to be registered and is subject to the same penalties, except that the seller's or lessor's liability may be limited to tax actually collected. The seller or lessor so registered may at any time surrender the seller's or lessor's registration certificate and request that the registration certificate be canceled. Upon receipt of the certificate and request, the assessor shall grant the cancellation, if it appears to the assessor that the seller or lessor has satisfied all liability to the State and that the seller is not required by law to register. Upon surrender of the certificate, the seller or lessor must cease to collect sales or use taxes upon sales or leases that occur on and after the date of the surrender.
Sec. A-18. 36 MRSA §1758, as repealed and replaced by PL 1999, c. 708, §24, is repealed.
Sec. A-19. 36 MRSA §1760, first ¶, as amended by PL 1999, c. 521, Pt. A, §6, is further amended to read:
Subject to the provisions of section 1760-C, no tax on sales, storage or use may be collected upon or in connection with:
Sec. A-20. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§1 is amended to read:
Sec. A-21. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2005, c. 622, §5, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-22. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§16, as amended by PL 2015, c. 510, §1 and affected by §3, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-23. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§18-A, as amended by PL 2015, c. 300, Pt. A, §15, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-24. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§26, as amended by PL 2007, c. 419, §1, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-25. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§28, as amended by PL 2011, c. 542, Pt. A, §135, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-26. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§33, as repealed and replaced by PL 1977, c. 238, is amended to read:
Sec. A-27. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§37, as amended by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §§82 and 106 and PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-28. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§42, as amended by PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. PPP, §1 and affected by §2, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
Sec. A-29. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§43, as amended by PL 2015, c. 300, Pt. A, §20, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-30. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§44, as amended by PL 2015, c. 300, Pt. A, §21, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-31. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§46, as repealed and replaced by PL 2003, c. 451, Pt. AA, §1, is amended to read:
Sec. A-32. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§47-A, as corrected by RR 1995, c. 2, §95, is amended to read:
Sec. A-33. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§49, as amended by PL 2009, c. 204, §12, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-34. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§50, as amended by PL 2013, c. 420, §1, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-35. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§51, as repealed and replaced by PL 1985, c. 737, Pt. A, §95, is amended to read:
Sec. A-36. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§52, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 737, Pt. A, §96, is amended to read:
In order for a taxpayer to qualify for an exemption under this subsection, the taxpayer may not require any landowner to pay any fee or charge for maintenance or repair or to assume liability for crossings or rights-of-way if the landowner was not required to do so prior to July 1, 1981, and the taxpayer must continue to maintain crossings and rights-of-way which that it was required to maintain on that date and may not remove the crossings if there is any objection to their being removed ; and .
Sec. A-37. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§53, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 737, Pt. A, §97, is amended to read:
Sec. A-38. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§55, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 788, §1, is amended to read:
Sec. A-39. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§56, as amended by PL 1989, c. 533, §7, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-40. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§59, as amended by PL 2009, c. 211, Pt. B, §31, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-41. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§60, as amended by PL 1997, c. 545, §1, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-42. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§62, as amended by PL 2011, c. 240, §19, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-43. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§63, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 502, Pt. A, §130, is amended to read:
Sec. A-44. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§65, as amended by PL 1993, c. 670, §6, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-45. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§66, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 502, Pt. B, §47 and c. 581, §20 and repealed and replaced by c. 871, §12, is amended to read:
Sec. A-46. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§67, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 501, Pt. P, §30 and c. 533, §8 and repealed and replaced by c. 871, §13, is amended to read:
Sec. A-47. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§69, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 533, §8, is amended to read:
Sec. A-48. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§70, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 533, §8 and amended by c. 871, §14, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-49. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§71, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 533, §8, is amended to read:
Sec. A-50. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§72, as amended by PL 1999, c. 708, §30, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-51. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§77, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 532, §1, is amended to read:
Sec. A-52. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§81, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 530, §10 and amended by PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §6, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-53. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§84, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 95, §6, is amended to read:
Sec. A-54. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§§98 and 99, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. OOOO, §4 and affected by §7, are amended to read:
Sec. A-55. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§100, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 465, Pt. C, §1 and affected by §2, is amended to read:
Sec. A-56. 36 MRSA §1811, as amended by PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. OOOO, §5 and affected by §7 and amended by c. 300, Pt. A, §25, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
§ 1811. Sales tax
A tax is imposed on the value of all tangible personal property and taxable services sold at retail in this State and on the lease or rental of tangible personal property in this State. The value of tangible personal property and taxable services sold at retail and the lease or rental of tangible personal property is measured by the sale price. The rate of tax is:
The tax imposed upon the sale and distribution of gas, water or electricity by any public utility must be added to the rates for such sale and distribution as established by the Public Utilities Commission.
Sec. A-57. 36 MRSA §1813, as amended by PL 1991, c. 546, §24, is further amended to read:
§ 1813. Illegal collection of sales tax prohibited
Any retailer who knowingly charges or collects as the sales tax due on the sale price of any property or service any retail sale or any lease or rental an amount in excess of that provided by section 1812 commits a Class E crime.
Sec. A-58. 36 MRSA §1818 is enacted to read:
§ 1818. Sourcing for leases and rentals
Sec. A-59. 36 MRSA §1861, as amended by PL 1995, c. 640, §6, is further amended to read:
§ 1861. Imposition
A tax is imposed, at the respective rate provided in section 1811, on the storage, use , lease, rental or other consumption in this State of tangible personal property or a service, the sale , lease or rental of which would be subject to tax under section 1764 or 1811. Every person so storing, using or otherwise consuming making such a use is liable for the tax until the person has paid the tax or has taken a receipt from the seller retailer, as duly authorized by the assessor, showing that the seller retailer has collected the sales or use tax, in which case the seller retailer is liable for it. Retailers registered under section 1754-B or 1756 shall collect the tax and make remittance to the assessor. The amount of the tax payable by the purchaser is that provided in the case of sales taxes by section 1812. When tangible personal property purchased for resale or lease is withdrawn from inventory by the a retailer for the retailer's own use, use tax liability accrues at the date of withdrawal.
Sec. A-60. 36 MRSA §1951-A, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2011, c. 285, §7, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-61. 36 MRSA §1952, as amended by PL 2003, c. 390, §12, is further amended to read:
§ 1952. Payment of tax
The taxes tax imposed by chapters 211 to 225 section 1811 on sales of tangible personal property and taxable services are is due and payable at the time of the sale. The tax imposed by section 1811 on the lease or rental of tangible personal property is due and payable at the time each payment under the lease or rental agreement is made or the time each payment is required to be made, whichever occurs first. The tax imposed by section 1861 is due and payable at the time the property or service is first used in this State. Upon such terms and conditions as the State Tax Assessor may prescribe, the assessor may permit a postponement of payment to a date not later than the date on which the sales , leases and rentals so taxed are required to be reported.
Sec. A-62. 36 MRSA §2551, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 673, Pt. V, §25 and affected by §29, is repealed.
Sec. A-63. 36 MRSA §2551, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 673, Pt. V, §25 and affected by §29, is repealed.
Sec. A-64. 36 MRSA §2551, sub-§21, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 673, Pt. V, §25 and affected by §29, is repealed.
Sec. A-65. 36 MRSA §2552, sub-§1, ¶¶C and D, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 673, Pt. V, §25 and affected by §29, are repealed.
Sec. A-66. Application. This Part applies to sales occurring, and lease or rental agreements executed, on or after January 1, 2018.
PART B
Sec. B-1. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§23-C, as amended by PL 2015, c. 300, Pt. A, §§16 and 17, is further amended to read:
If the vehicles are registered purchaser subsequently registers the vehicle or is required to register the vehicle for use in the State within 12 months of the date of purchase, the person seeking registration purchaser is liable for use tax on the basis of the original purchase price. Other subsequent use by the purchaser in the State of a vehicle other than an automobile is subject to use tax if the vehicle is present in the State for more than 90 days during the 12 months following its purchase, excluding any days that the property is located in the State for storage, repair, alteration, refitting, reconstruction, overhaul or restoration. The location of property in the State at any time during a day is considered presence in the State for that entire day.
Sec. B-2. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§25, as amended by PL 2015, c. 300, Pt. A, §18, is repealed.
Sec. B-3. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§25-D is enacted to read:
Sec. B-4. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§45, as amended by PL 2013, c. 331, Pt. C, §8, is further amended to read:
Property, other than automobiles, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and aircraft, that is required to be registered for use in this State does not qualify for this exemption unless it was registered by its present owner outside this State more than 12 months prior to its registration in this State. If property required to be registered for use in this State was not required to be registered for use outside this State, the owner must be able to document actual use of the property outside this State for more than 12 months prior to its registration in this State. For purposes of this subsection, "use" does not include storage but means actual use of the property for a purpose consistent with its design.
Sec. B-5. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§82, as amended by PL 2007, c. 627, §49, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-6. Application. This Part applies to sales occurring, and lease or rental agreements executed, on or after January 1, 2018.
PART C
Sec. C-1. 36 MRSA §2015, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 701, §8 and affected by §10, is amended to read:
§ 2015. Rental vehicle excise tax reimbursement
summary
Part A moves the point of taxation with respect to leases of tangible personal property from a use tax on the lessor to a sales tax on each lease payment, in order to simplify the law and provide consistency with the tax treatment of leases in other states that impose a sales tax.
It updates the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, Part 3 to include leases, rentals and lessors in many existing provisions regarding sales and sellers and to add new provisions regarding leases, rentals and lessors that correspond to existing provisions regarding sales and sellers. It also updates sales tax exemptions that currently exempt sales to certain entities to also exempt leases and rentals to those entities.
It sources the first lease or rental payment to this State for taxation when the property is received in this State. Subsequent payments are sourced to this State as long as the primary property location for the period covered by the payment is in this State.
It clarifies the exemption for historical societies, museums and incorporated nonprofit memorial foundations.
It applies to sales occurring, and lease or rental agreements executed, on or after January 1, 2018.
Part B clarifies when owners of property that has been used outside of Maine are liable for a use tax when the property is brought into Maine. The bill updates several provisions, enacting a clear 90-day standard for use in Maine to give rise to a use tax liability. It applies to sales occurring, and lease or rental agreements executed, on or after January 1, 2018.
Part C terminates, as of December 31, 2017, the ability to claim an excise tax reimbursement for rental vehicles.