Tennessee Department of Revenue Adopts Sales and Use Tax Economic Nexus Rule
Summary
On October 3, 2016, the Tennessee Department of Revenue adopted Rule 1320-05-01-.129, which establishes a sales and use tax economic nexus standard in the state effective January 1, 2017.
Details
Sales and Use Tax Economic Nexus: Under Rule 1320-05-01-.129, an out-of-state dealer who engages in the regular or systematic solicitation of consumers in the state through any means, and whose Tennessee sales exceed $500,000 during the previous twelve-month period, has substantial nexus in the state. An out-of-state dealer subject to the economic nexus standard must register with the Department for sales and use tax purposes by March 1, 2017, and report and pay tax on sales of tangible personal property and other taxable items delivered to Tennessee consumers beginning July 1, 2017.
Rule 1320-05-01-.129 also provides guidance for out-of-state dealers who become subject to the economic nexus standard after March 1, 2017. Such dealers must register with the Department and begin to report and pay Tennessee sales and use tax by the first day of the third calendar month following the month in which the dealer met the economic nexus threshold. However, the rule specifies that such dealers are not required to collect and remit sales and use tax for periods before July 1, 2017.
Insights
The final rule makes some minor changes to the proposed rule with respect to which the Department recently held a public hearing. An out-of-state dealer who solicits sales in Tennessee through any means and expects to exceed the $500,000 sales threshold should consider the impact that this rule may have on them for tax planning and reporting purposes.
Ohio Department of Taxation Issues Guidance Related to Nonresident Taxpayers’ Gain From the Sale of a Closely-Held Business
Summary
On October 7, 2016, the Ohio Department of Taxation issued a personal income tax information release that provides guidance relating to an equity investor’s apportionment of gain from the sale of a closely-held business. This guidance was issued as a result of the Supreme Court of Ohio’s holding in Corrigan v. Testa, Slip Opinion No. 2016-Ohio-2805 (May 4, 2016).
Details
In the Corrigan case, the Supreme Court of Ohio held that Ohio Rev. Code § 5747.212, as applied to the taxpayer, was unconstitutional under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Ohio Rev. Code § 5747.212 provides special rules for apportioning the gain from the sale of a taxpayer’s ownership in a closely-held business.
As a result of the decision in Corrigan, the Department issued Information Release IT 2016-01 on October 7, 2016, to provide the following:
- The Court’s analysis and holding are confined solely to Ohio Rev. Code
§ 5747.212 and are not expanded to any other Ohio statute; - The Court found that Ohio Rev. Code § 5747.212 was unconstitutional as applied to the taxpayer, but the Court did not find the statute unconstitutional on its face, thus, it was found to be unconstitutional only in this specific situation; and
- The Court found that an ownership interest in a business is an intangible asset. The Court followed the general rule of law that a capital gain derived from the sale of an intangible asset is allocable as nonbusiness income to a nonresident taxpayer’s state of domicile because neither the taxpayer nor the sale of the asset has a taxable link (or unitary relationship) to Ohio.
The Department also provided guidance for a nonresident taxpayer who was assessed or paid tax on an amount calculated under Ohio Rev. Code § 5747.212.
- If the taxpayer already filed a refund application or petitioned for review of an assessment relating to the applicability of Ohio Rev. Code § 5747.212, no further action is needed at this time and these cases will be reviewed. However, if the taxpayer has additional information that further supports the taxpayer’s position as a result of the Corrigan decision, the additional information can be sent to taxpayer’s point of contact at the Department.
- If a nonresident taxpayer believes that he or she is entitled to a refund of amounts previously paid based on the decision in Corrigan, the taxpayer may file amended tax returns that include:
- A “Reasons and Explanation of Corrections” page for each amended return that cites Corrigan v. Testa, Slip Opinion No. 2016-Ohio-2805 as the basis for the amended return; and
- For each return, a detailed statement specifying the factual and legal reasons why the Corrigan decision is applicable to the taxpayer.
Insights
- A nonresident taxpayer that realized a gain from the sale of an interest in a pass-through entity should consider whether a refund opportunity may be available based upon the decision in Corrigan as applied to the taxpayer’s specific situation. The amended return or refund claim must follow the requirements of Information Release IT 2016-01 and must be for payments of income tax made within four years of the date the refund is requested. In addition, the payments and tax years for which the taxpayer is requesting a refund must not have been the subject of a Settlement Agreement with the Department.
- If the taxpayer recognizes a capital gain and treats it as nonbusiness income because Ohio Rev. Code § 5747.212 is not applicable, the gain is not eligible for Ohio’s Small Business Deduction for tax years 2013 and 2014 or Ohio’s Business Income Deduction for tax years 2015 and forward. A nonresident taxpayer should consider whether this impacts the potential refund opportunity available.
