82.04.426 - Exemptions -- Semiconductor microchips.

Exemptions — Semiconductor microchips. (Contingent effective date; contingent expiration date.)

(1) The tax imposed by RCW 82.04.240(2) does not apply to any person in respect to the manufacturing of semiconductor microchips.

     (2) For the purposes of this section:

     (a) "Manufacturing semiconductor microchips" means taking raw polished semiconductor wafers and embedding integrated circuits on the wafers using processes such as masking, etching, and diffusion; and

     (b) "Integrated circuit" means a set of microminiaturized, electronic circuits.

     (3) A person reporting under the tax rate provided in this section must file a complete annual report with the department under RCW 82.32.534.

     (4) This section expires nine years after *the effective date of this act.

[2010 c 114 § 110; 2003 c 149 § 2.]

Notes: *Reviser's note: "The effective date of this act" refers to chapter 149, Laws of 2003.

Finding -- Intent -- 2010 c 114: See note following RCW 82.32.585.

Findings -- Intent -- 2003 c 149: "The legislature finds that the welfare of the people of the state of Washington is positively impacted through the encouragement and expansion of family wage employment in the state's manufacturing industries. The legislature further finds that targeting tax incentives to focus on key industry clusters is an important business climate strategy. The Washington competitiveness council has recognized the semiconductor industry, which includes the design and manufacture of semiconductor materials, as one of the state's existing key industry clusters. Businesses in this cluster in the state of Washington are facing increasing pressure to expand elsewhere. The sales and use tax exemptions for manufacturing machinery and equipment enacted by the 1995 legislature improved Washington's ability to compete with other states for manufacturing investment. However, additional incentives for the semiconductor cluster need to be put in place in recognition of the unique forces and global issues involved in business decisions that key businesses in this cluster face.

     Therefore, the legislature intends to enact comprehensive tax incentives for the semiconductor cluster that address activities of the lead product industry and its suppliers and customers. Tax incentives for the semiconductor cluster are important in both retention and expansion of existing business and attraction of new businesses, all of which will strengthen this cluster. The legislature also recognizes that the semiconductor industry involves major investment that results in significant construction projects, which will create jobs and bring many indirect benefits to the state during the construction phase." [2003 c 149 § 1.]