77.54(57)(a)1f.
1f. "Biotechnology" means the application of biotechnologies, including recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, genetic engineering, biological cell fusion, and other bioprocesses, that use living organisms or parts of an organism to produce or modify products to improve plants or animals or improve animal health, develop microorganisms for specific uses, identify targets for small molecule pharmaceutical development, or transform biological systems into useful processes and products.
77.54(57)(a)1m.
1m. "Biotechnology business" means a business, as certified by the department in the manner prescribed by the department, that is primarily engaged in the application of biotechnologies that use a living organism or parts of an organism to produce or modify products to improve plants or animals, develop microorganisms for specific uses, identify targets for small molecule pharmaceutical development, or transform biological systems into useful processes and products.
77.54(57)(a)5.
5. "Qualified research" means qualified research as defined under section
41 (d) (1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
77.54(57)(b)
(b) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of all of the following:
77.54(57)(b)1.
1. Machinery and equipment, including attachments, parts, and accessories, that are sold to persons who are engaged primarily in manufacturing or biotechnology in this state and are used exclusively and directly in qualified research.
77.54(57)(b)2.
2. Tangible personal property or item or property under
s. 77.52 (1) (b) or
(c) that is sold to persons who are engaged primarily in manufacturing or biotechnology in this state, if the tangible personal property or item or property under
s. 77.52 (1) (b) or
(c) is consumed or destroyed or loses its identity while being used exclusively and directly in qualified research.
77.54(57)(b)3.
3. Machines and specific processing equipment, including accessories, attachments, and parts for the machines or equipment, that are used exclusively and directly in raising animals that are sold primarily to a biotechnology business, a public or private institution of higher education, or a governmental unit for exclusive and direct use by any such entity in qualified research or manufacturing.
77.54(57)(b)4.
4. The items listed in
sub. (3m) (a) to
(m), medicines, semen for artificial insemination, fuel, and electricity that are used exclusively and directly in raising animals that are sold primarily to a biotechnology business, a public or private institution of higher education, or a governmental unit for exclusive and direct use by any such entity in qualified research or manufacturing.
77.54 History
History: 1971 c. 64,
154,
215,
311;
1973 c. 90,
156,
240;
1975 c. 39,
96,
102,
146,
200;
1977 c. 29;
1977 c. 83 ss.
13,
26;
1977 c. 250,
368,
418;
1979 c. 1,
34,
87,
174;
1981 c. 20;
1981 c. 79 s.
18;
1981 c. 96 s.
67;
1981 c. 264;
1981 c. 282 s.
47;
1981 c. 317;
1983 a. 27 ss.
1284d to
1284np,
2202 (38);
1983 a. 189 ss.
101,
106,
329 (5), (12), (13);
1983 a. 192,
287,
405,
426,
498,
510,
538,
544;
1985 a. 29,
149,
332;
1987 a. 27;
1987 a. 312 s.
17;
1987 a. 399;
1989 a. 31,
238,
270,
335,
359;
1991 a. 37,
39,
269,
316;
1993 a. 16,
263,
332;
1995 a. 27,
125,
225,
227;
1997 a. 27,
35,
41,
184,
237,
291;
1999 a. 9,
65,
83;
1999 a. 150 s.
672;
1999 a. 167;
2001 a. 16,
103,
109;
2003 a. 99,
128;
2005 a. 25,
74,
141,
149,
335,
366,
479;
2007 a. 11,
19,
20,
97,
130;
2009 a. 2,
28,
185,
204,
330; s. 13.92 (2) (i).
77.54 Annotation
A taxpayer in the business of processing scrap metal is engaged in manufacturing under s. 77.51 (27) [now s. 77.54 (6m)]. H. Samuels Co. v. DOR,
70 Wis. 2d 1076,
236 N.W.2d 250 (1975).
77.54 Annotation
A carrier's contract status is established under the "primary business test" if the carrier's primary occupation is the supplying of transportation for compensation, even though the operator owns the goods at the time of transport and carries them for the purpose of sale. If, however, the operator's primary business is manufacturing or another noncarrier commercial enterprise, a determination must be made as to whether the motor operations are in furtherance of the primary business or are conducted as a related enterprise with the purpose of profiting from the transportation. Gensler v. DOR,
70 Wis. 2d 1108,
236 N.W.2d 648 (1975).
77.54 Annotation
The sale of a supper club's furnishings and equipment was an "occasional sale" under s. 77.54 (7). Three Lions Supper Club v. DOR,
72 Wis. 2d 546,
241 N.W.2d 190 (1976).
77.54 Annotation
Consumption of gas at interstate pipeline compressor stations in Wisconsin is protected from state use tax by the commerce clause. Midwestern Gas Transmission Co. v. DOR,
84 Wis. 2d 261,
267 N.W.2d 253 (1978).
77.54 Annotation
To satisfy s. 77.51 (27) [now s. 77.54 (7h)], a change in name must be attributable to a change in the nature, purpose, and function of the article. DOR v. Bailey-Bohrman Steel Corp.
93 Wis. 2d 602,
287 N.W.2d 715 (1980).
77.54 Annotation
A vending machine company, which placed machines in schools and hospitals, was the "seller" of the products dispensed by its machines. Servomation Corp. v. DOR,
106 Wis. 2d 616,
317 N.W.2d 464 (1982).
77.54 Annotation
Under the "use or function" test, a greenhouse was a "machine" used in floriculture under sub. (3). DOR v. Greiling,
112 Wis. 2d 602,
334 N.W.2d 118 (1983).
77.54 Annotation
The exemption under sub. (9a) (f) is limited to services used by tax-exempt organizations and does not extend to services by those foundations. DOR v. EAA Aviation Foundation,
143 Wis. 2d 681,
422 N.W.2d 458 (Ct. App. 1988).
77.54 Annotation
Calf hutches are not "machines" exempt from sales tax under sub. (3). L.T. Hampel Corp. v. DOR,
157 Wis. 2d 422,
459 N.W.2d 598 (Ct. App. 1990).
77.54 Annotation
Motor vehicles and machinery used with motor vehicles are not used "directly" in recycling activities and are not exempt under sub. (26m). DOR v. Parks-Pioneer,
170 Wis. 2d 44,
487 N.W.2d 63 (Ct. App. 1992).
77.54 Annotation
The exemption for occasional sales under sub. (7) cannot apply to a seller who continues to make sales in a business after the business was sold and surrender of the sales tax permit was attempted. Carrion Corp. v. DOR,
179 Wis. 2d 254,
507 N.W.2d 356 (Ct. App. 1993).
77.54 Annotation
"Merchandise" as used in sub. (6) (b) denotes commodities that are bought and sold. Luetzow Industries v. DOR,
197 Wis. 2d 917,
541 N.W.2d 810 (Ct. App. 1995).
77.54 Annotation
A Mississippi River excursion boat that embarked from a Wisconsin port, crossed into out-of-state water without landing in that state, then disembarked in Wisconsin was not engaged in "interstate commerce" under sub. (13). LaCrosse Queen, Inc. v. DOR,
208 Wis. 2d 439,
561 N.W.2d 686 (1997),
95-2754.
77.54 Annotation
Newspaper carriers were found not to be customers of a publisher. The sub. (6) (b) exemption for packing material was not applicable to materials used to package newspapers for delivery to the carriers. Madison Newspapers, Inc. v. DOR,
228 Wis. 2d 745,
599 N.W.2d 51 (Ct. App. 1999),
98-2980.
77.54 Annotation
A corporation is a "resident of this state" under sub. (5) (a) if it is domiciled in Wisconsin and incorporated under the laws of this state. DOR v. Johnson Welding & Manufacturing Co., Inc. 2000 WI App 179,
238 Wis. 2d 243,
617 N.W.2d 193,
99-2429.
77.55
77.55
Exemptions from sales tax. 77.55(1)
(1) There is exempted from the computation of the amount of the sales tax the sales price from the sale of any tangible personal property, or items or property under
s. 77.52 (1) (b) or
(c), or services to:
77.55(1)(a)
(a) The United States, its unincorporated agencies and instrumentalities.
77.55(1)(b)
(b) Any incorporated agency or instrumentality of the United States wholly owned by the United States or by a corporation wholly owned by the United States.
77.55(2)
(2) There is exempted from the computation of the amount of the sales tax the sales price from sales of tangible personal property, and items and property under
s. 77.52 (1) (b) and
(c), to a common or contract carrier, shipped by the seller via the purchasing carrier under a bill of lading whether the freight is paid in advance, or the shipment is made freight charges collect, to a point outside this state and the property or item is actually transported to the out-of-state destination for use by the carrier in the conduct of its business as a carrier.
77.55(2m)
(2m) There is exempted from the computation of the amount of sales tax the sales price from sales of railroad crossties to a common or contract carrier, shipped wholly or in part by way of the purchasing carrier under a bill of lading, whether the freight is paid in advance or the shipment is made freight charges collect, to a point outside this state if the property is transported to the out-of-state destination for use by the carrier in the conduct of its business as a carrier. Interruption of the shipment for storage, drying, processing or creosoting of the railroad crossties in this state does not invalidate the exemption under this subsection.
77.55(3)
(3) There is exempted from the computation of the amount of the sales tax the sales price from sales of tangible personal property, and items and property under
s. 77.52 (1) (b) and
(c), purchased for use solely outside this state and delivered to a forwarding agent, export packer, or other person engaged in the business of preparing goods for export or arranging for their exportation, and actually delivered to a port outside the continental limits of the United States prior to making any use thereof.
77.56
77.56
Exemptions from use tax. 77.56(1)
(1) The storage, use or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property, and items, property, and goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), and
(d), the sales price from the sale of which is reported to the department in the measure of the sales tax, is exempted from the use tax.
77.56(2)
(2) The loan by an automobile dealer of a motor vehicle to any school or school district for a driver training educational program conducted by the school or school district is exempt from the use tax.
77.56(3)
(3) The donation to an entity specified under
s. 77.54 (9a) of property that has been purchased tax-free for resale or upon the presentation of a valid exemption certificate is exempt from the use tax.
77.57
77.57
Liability of purchaser. If a purchaser certifies in writing to a seller that the tangible personal property or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d) purchased will be used in a manner or for a purpose entitling the seller to regard the sales price from the sale as exempted by this subchapter from the computation of the amount of the sales tax and uses the property or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d) in some other manner or for some other purpose, the purchaser is liable for payment of the sales tax. The tax shall be measured by the sales price of the property or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d) to the purchaser.
77.57 History
History: 1983 a. 405;
2009 a. 2.
77.57 Annotation
A seller is not relieved of liability if the purchaser's certificate on its face fails to state a legal basis for exempting the sale. DOR v. Moebius Printing Co.
89 Wis. 2d 610,
279 N.W.2d 213 (1979).
77.58
77.58
Returns and payments. 77.58(1)
(1) The taxes imposed by this subchapter for each calendar quarter are due and payable on the last day of the month next succeeding the calendar quarter for which imposed except that:
77.58(1)(a)
(a) If the amount of tax for any calendar quarter exceeds $600, the department may require by written notice to the taxpayer that the taxes imposed on and after the date specified in the notice are due and payable on the last day of the month next succeeding the calendar month for which imposed.
77.58(1)(b)
(b) If the amount of tax for any calendar quarter exceeds $3,600, the department may require by written notice to the taxpayer that the taxes imposed on and after the date specified in the notice are due and payable on the 20th day of the month next succeeding the calendar month for which imposed. The payment is timely if it fulfills the requirements under
s. 77.61 (14).
77.58(1m)
(1m) Persons who owe amounts under this subchapter shall pay them by mailing or delivering them to the department or, if the department prescribes another method of submitting or another destination, those persons shall pay those amounts in that other method or to that other destination.
77.58(2)
(2) A return shall be filed by the last day of the month next succeeding each calendar quarter for taxes imposed for the preceding calendar quarter except that:
77.58(2)(a)
(a) If payments are required to be made monthly and are due and payable on the last day of the month next succeeding the calendar month for which imposed under
sub. (1) (a), a return shall be filed by the last day of the month next succeeding each calendar month for taxes imposed for the preceding calendar month.
77.58(2)(b)
(b) If payments are required to be made monthly and are due and payable on the 20th day of the month next succeeding the calendar month for which imposed under
sub. (1) (b), a return shall be filed by the 20th day of the month next succeeding each calendar month for taxes imposed for the preceding calendar month.
77.58(2)(c)
(c) Returns and payments under this section are timely if they meet the requirements under
s. 77.61 (14).
77.58(2)(d)
(d) Except for a seller who uses a certified service provider, a seller who registers through the streamlined sales tax governing board's central registration system and indicates at the time of registration that it anticipates making no sales into this state is not required to file a return in this state until such time as it makes a taxable sale that is sourced to this state under
s. 77.522. Once a seller to which this provision applies makes a taxable sale that is sourced to this state under
s. 77.522, that seller is required to file a return that is due by the last day of the month following the last day of the calendar quarter in which the sale occurred and shall continue to file returns by the last day of the month following the last day of each calendar quarter thereafter, unless the seller is notified in writing by the department of a different filing frequency.
77.58(3)(a)(a) Except as provided in
sub. (2) (d), for purposes of the sales tax a return shall be filed by every seller. Except as provided in
sub. (2) (d), for purposes of the use tax a return shall be filed by every retailer engaged in business in this state and by every person purchasing tangible personal property, or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d), or services, the storage, use or other consumption of which is subject to the use tax, who has not paid the use tax due to a retailer required to collect the tax. If a qualified subchapter S subsidiary is not regarded as a separate entity under
ch. 71, the owner of that subsidiary shall elect to either include the information for that subsidiary on the owner's return or file a separate electronic return for that entity. If a single-owner entity is disregarded as a separate entity under
ch. 71, the owner shall elect to either include the information from the entity on the owner's return or file a separate electronic return for that entity. If an owner that owns more than one entity that is disregarded as a separate entity under
ch. 71 elects to file a separate return for one of its disregarded entities, the owner shall file separate returns for all of its disregarded entities. Returns filed under this paragraph shall be signed by the person required to file the return or by a duly authorized agent but need not be verified by oath.
77.58(3)(b)
(b) The return shall show the amount of the taxes for the period covered by the return and such other information as the department deems necessary for the proper administration of this subchapter.
77.58(4)
(4) The person required to file the return shall deliver the return together with a remittance of the amount of the tax due to the office of the department or such other place as the department designates in the manner and form prescribed by the department.
77.58(5)
(5) The department, if it deems it necessary to ensure payment to or facilitate the collection by the state of the amount of taxes, may require returns and payments of the amount of taxes for other than quarterly periods. The department may, if satisfied that the revenues will be adequately safeguarded, permit returns and payments of the amount of taxes for other than quarterly periods. Such returns or payments shall be due or payable by the last day of the month next succeeding the end of the reporting or paying period, except that the department may require by written notice to the taxpayer that the returns or payments shall be due or payable by the 20th day of the month next succeeding the end of the reporting or paying period. Any person who discontinues business or who does not hold a valid permit under
s. 77.52 (9) prior to the end of a reporting period shall, within 30 days after such discontinuance or after the date on which the person ceases to hold a valid permit, file a return and pay the taxes due from the beginning of such reporting period. If a business is discontinued and a final report thereon has been made covering all payments due or refunds claimed as provided in this section, the account shall be closed, the seller's permit terminated and, notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, no further reports may be required.
77.58(6)
(6) For the purposes of the sales tax, the sales price from rentals, licenses, or leases of tangible personal property or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d) shall be reported and the tax paid in accordance with such rules as the department prescribes.
77.58(6m)(a)(a) The department may, in cases where it is satisfied that an undue hardship would otherwise result, permit the reporting of a sales price or purchase price on some basis other than the accrual basis.
77.58(6m)(b)
(b) The entire sales price of credit transactions shall be reported in the period in which the sale is made without reduction in the amount of tax payable by the retailer by reason of the retailer's transfer at a discount of any open account, note, conditional sales contract, lease contract, or other evidence of indebtedness.
77.58(7)
(7) The department for good cause may extend for not to exceed one month the time for making any return or paying any amount required to be paid by this subchapter. The extension may be granted at any time provided a request therefor is filed with the department within or prior to the period for which the extension is requested.
77.58(8)
(8) In any case in which a retailer who has accepted a resale or exemption certificate is subsequently required to pay a sales or use tax measured by the sale, the retailer may recover the amount of the tax as a debt due from the person who furnished such certificate.
77.58(9a)
(9a) In addition to filing a return as provided in this section, a person described under
s. 77.524 (3),
(4), or
(5) shall provide to the department any information that the department considers necessary for the administration of this subchapter, in the manner prescribed by the department, except that the department may not require that the person provide such information to the department more than once every 180 days.
77.585
77.585
Return adjustments. 77.585(1)(a)(a) In this subsection, "bad debt" means the portion of the sales price or purchase price that the seller has previously reported as taxable under this subchapter, and for which the seller has paid the tax, and that the seller may claim as a deduction under section
166 of the Internal Revenue Code. "Bad debt" does not include financing charges or interest, sales or use taxes imposed on the sales price or purchase price, uncollectible amounts on tangible personal property or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d) that remain in the seller's possession until the full sales price or purchase price is paid, expenses incurred in attempting to collect any debt, debts sold or assigned to 3rd parties for collection, and repossessed property or items.
77.585(1)(b)
(b) A seller may claim as a deduction on a return under
s. 77.58 the amount of any bad debt that the seller writes off as uncollectible in the seller's books and records and that is eligible to be deducted as a bad debt for federal income tax purposes, regardless of whether the seller is required to file a federal income tax return. A seller who claims a deduction under this paragraph shall claim the deduction on the return under
s. 77.58 that is submitted for the period in which the seller writes off the amount of the deduction as uncollectible in the seller's books and records and in which such amount is eligible to be deducted as bad debt for federal income tax purposes. If the seller subsequently collects in whole or in part any bad debt for which a deduction is claimed under this paragraph, the seller shall include the amount collected in the return filed for the period in which the amount is collected and shall pay the tax with the return.
77.585(1)(c)
(c) For purposes of computing a bad debt deduction or reporting a payment received on a previously claimed bad debt, any payment made on a debt or on an account is applied first to the price of the tangible personal property, or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d), or service sold, and the proportionate share of the sales tax on that property, or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d), or service, and then to interest, service charges, and other charges related to the sale.
77.585(1)(d)
(d) A seller may obtain a refund of the tax reported for any bad debt amount deducted under
par. (b) that exceeds the amount of the seller's taxable sales as provided under
s. 77.59 (4), except that the period for making a claim as determined under
s. 77.59 (4) begins on the date on which the return on which the bad debt could be claimed would have been required to be submitted to the department under
s. 77.58.
77.585(1)(e)
(e) If a seller is using a certified service provider, the certified service provider may claim a bad debt deduction under this subsection on the seller's behalf if the seller has not claimed and will not claim the same deduction. A certified service provider who receives a bad debt deduction under this subsection shall credit that deduction to the seller and a certified service provider who receives a refund under this subsection shall submit that refund to the seller.
77.585(1)(f)
(f) If a bad debt relates to the retail sales of tangible personal property, or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d), or taxable services that were sourced to this state and to one or more other states, as determined under
s. 77.522, the total amount of such bad debt shall be apportioned among the states to which the underlying sales were sourced in a manner prescribed by the department to arrive at the amount of the deduction under
par. (b).
77.585(2)
(2) If a lessor of tangible personal property or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d) has reimbursed the vendor for the sales tax on the sale of the property, items, or goods by the vendor to the lessor, the tax due from the lessor on the rental receipts may be offset by a credit equal to the tax otherwise due on the rental receipts from the property, items, or goods for the reporting period. The credit shall expire when the cumulative rental receipts equal the sales price upon which the vendor paid sales taxes to this state.
77.585(3)
(3) If a purchaser of tangible personal property or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d) has reimbursed the vendor of the property, items, or goods for the sales tax on the sale and subsequently, before making any use of the property, items, or goods other than retention, demonstration, or display while holding it for sale or rental, makes a taxable sale of the property, items, or goods the tax due on the taxable sale may be offset by the tax reimbursed.
77.585(4)
(4) A seller may claim a deduction on any part of the sales price or purchase price that the seller refunds in cash or credit as a result of returned tangible personal property or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d) or adjustments in the sales price or purchase price after the sale has been completed, if the seller has included the refunded price in a prior return made by the seller and has paid the tax on such price, and if the seller has returned to the purchaser in cash or in credit all tax previously paid by the purchaser on the amount of the refund at the time of the purchase. A deduction under this subsection shall be claimed on the return for the period in which the refund is paid.
77.585(5)
(5) No reduction in the amount of tax payable by the retailer is allowable in the event that tangible personal property or items, property, or goods under
s. 77.52 (1) (b),
(c), or
(d) sold on credit are repossessed except where the entire consideration paid by the purchaser is refunded to the purchaser or where a credit for a worthless account is allowable under
sub. (1).
77.585(6)
(6) A purchaser who is subject to the use tax on the storage, use, or other consumption of fuel may claim a deduction from the purchase price that is subject to the use tax for fuel taxes refunded by this state or the United States to the purchaser that is included in the purchase price of the fuel.
77.585(7)
(7) For sales tax purposes, if a retailer establishes to the department's satisfaction that the sales tax has been added to the total amount of the sales price and has not been absorbed by the retailer, the total amount of the sales price shall be the amount received exclusive of the sales tax imposed.
77.585(8)(a)(a) A sale or purchase involving transfer of ownership of tangible personal property, or items or property under
s. 77.52 (1) (b) or
(c), is completed at the time when possession is transferred by the seller or the seller's agent to the purchaser or the purchaser's agent, except that for purposes of
sub. (1) a common carrier or the U.S. postal service shall be considered the agent of the seller, regardless of any f.o.b. point and regardless of the method by which freight or postage is paid.
77.585(8)(b)1.1. Except as provided in
subd. 2., a sale or purchase involving a digital good under
s. 77.52 (1) (d) is completed at the time when possession is transferred by the seller or the seller's agent to the purchaser or the purchaser's agent or when the digital good is first used, whichever comes first.
77.585(8)(b)2.
2. A sale or purchase of a product transferred electronically, including a digital good under
s. 77.52 (1) (d), that is sold by subscription, is completed at the time when the payment for the subscription is due to the seller. For purposes of this subdivision, "subscription" means an agreement with a seller that grants the consumer the right to obtain products transferred electronically from within one or more product categories having the same tax treatment, in a fixed quantity or for a fixed period of time, or both.
77.585(9)(a)(a) Subject to
2005 Wisconsin Act 479, section 17, a purchaser may claim as a deduction that portion of its purchase price of Internet equipment used in the broadband market for which the tax was imposed under this subchapter, if the purchaser certifies to the department of commerce, in the manner prescribed by the department of commerce, that the purchaser will, within 24 months after July 1, 2007, make an investment that is reasonably calculated to increase broadband Internet availability in this state. The purchaser shall claim the deduction in the same reporting period as the purchaser paid the tax imposed under this subchapter.
