82.04.424 - Exemptions -- Certain in-state activities.

Exemptions — Certain in-state activities. (Contingent expiration date.)

(1) This chapter does not apply to a person making sales in Washington if:

     (a) The person's activities in this state, whether conducted directly or through another person, are limited to:

     (i) The storage, dissemination, or display of advertising;

     (ii) The taking of orders; or

     (iii) The processing of payments; and

     (b) The activities are conducted electronically via a web site on a server or other computer equipment located in Washington that is not owned or operated by the person making sales into this state nor owned or operated by an affiliated person. For purposes of this section, persons are "affiliated persons" with respect to each other where one of the persons has an ownership interest of more than five percent, whether direct or indirect, in the other, or where an ownership interest of more than five percent, whether direct or indirect, is held in each of the persons by another person or by a group of other persons which are affiliated with respect to each other.

     (2) This section expires when: (a) The United States congress grants individual states the authority to impose sales and use tax collection duties on remote sellers; or (b) it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, in a judgment not subject to review, that a state can impose sales and use tax collection duties on remote sellers.

[2003 c 76 § 2.]

Notes: Intent -- 2003 c 76: "It is the intent of the legislature to exempt from business and occupation tax and to relieve from the obligation to collect sales and use tax from certain sellers with very limited connections to Washington. These sellers are currently relieved from the obligation to collect sales and use tax because of the provisions of the federal internet tax freedom act. The legislature intends to continue to relieve these particular sellers from that obligation in the event that the federal internet tax freedom act is not extended. The legislature further intends that any relief from tax obligations provided by this act expire at such time as the United States congress grants individual states the authority to impose sales and use tax collection duties on remote sellers, or a court of competent jurisdiction, in a judgment not subject to review, determines that a state can impose sales and use tax collection duties on remote sellers." [2003 c 76 § 1.]