77.54(67)(b)
(b) For the period beginning on the first in August and ending on the following Sunday, the sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of the following:
77.54(67)(b)1.
1. Clothing, if the sales price of any single item is no more than $75.
77.54(67)(b)2.
2. A computer purchased by the consumer for the consumer's personal use, if the sales price of the computer is no more than $750.
77.54(67)(b)3.
3. School computer supplies purchased by the consumer for the consumer's personal use, if the sales price of any single item is no more than $250.
77.54(67)(b)4.
4. School supplies, if the sales price of any single item is no more than $75.
77.54(67)(c)
(c) The exemption under this subsection shall be administered as follows:
77.54(67)(c)1.
1. A sale of eligible property under a layaway sale qualifies for exemption if either of the following applies:
77.54(67)(c)1.a.
a. Final payment on a layaway order is made by, and the property is given to, the purchaser during the exemption period.
77.54(67)(c)1.b.
b. The purchaser selects the property and the retailer accepts the order for the item during the exemption period, for immediate delivery upon full payment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period.
77.54(67)(c)3.
3. A discount by the seller reduces the sales price of the property and the discounted sales price determines whether the sales price is within the price threshold in par.
(b). A coupon that reduces the sales price is treated as a discount if the seller is not reimbursed for the coupon amount by a 3rd party. If a discount applies to the total amount paid by a purchaser rather than to the sales price of a particular item and the purchaser has purchased both eligible property and taxable property, the seller shall allocate the discount based on the total sales prices of the taxable property compared to the total sales prices of all property sold in that same transaction.
77.54(67)(c)4.
4. Products that are normally sold as a single unit shall be sold in that manner and may not be divided into multiple units and sold as individual items in order to obtain the exemption under this subsection.
77.54(67)(c)5.
5. Eligible property that is purchased during the exemption period with the use of a rain check qualifies for the exemption regardless of when the rain check was issued. Items purchased after the exemption period with the use of a rain check are not eligible property under this subsection even if the rain check was issued during the exemption period.
77.54(67)(c)6.
6. The procedure for an exchange with regard to the exemption under this subsection is as follows:
77.54(67)(c)6.a.
a. If a purchaser purchases an item of eligible property during the exemption period but later exchanges the item for a similar item of eligible property, even if different in size, color, or another feature, no additional tax is due even if the exchange is made after the exemption period.
77.54(67)(c)6.b.
b. If a purchaser purchases an item of eligible property during the exemption period, but after the exemption period has ended, the purchaser returns the item and receives credit on the purchase of a different item, the appropriate sales tax is due on the sale of the different item.
77.54(67)(c)6.c.
c. If a purchaser purchases an item of eligible property before the exemption period, but during the exemption period the purchaser returns the item and receives credit on the purchase of a different item of eligible property, no sales tax is due on the sale of the new item if the new item is purchased during the exemption period.
77.54(67)(c)7.
7. Delivery charges, including shipping, handling, and service charges, are part of the sales price of eligible property. For the purpose of determining the price threshold under par.
(b), if all the property in a shipment qualifies as eligible property and the sales price for each item in the shipment is within the price threshold under par.
(b), the shipment is considered a sale of eligible property and the seller does not have to allocate the delivery, handling, or service charge to determine if the price threshold under par.
(b) is exceeded. If the shipment includes eligible property and taxable property, including an item of eligible property with a sales price in excess of the price threshold, the seller shall allocate the delivery, handling, and service charge by using one of the following methods and shall apply the tax to the percentage of the delivery, handling, and service charge allocated to the taxable property:
77.54(67)(c)7.a.
a. A percentage based on the total sales price of the taxable property compared to the total sales price of all property in the shipment.
77.54(67)(c)7.b.
b. A percentage based on the total weight of the taxable property compared to the total weight of all property in the shipment.
77.54(67)(c)8.
8. Eligible property qualifies for exemption under this subsection if either of the following applies:
77.54(67)(c)8.a.
a. The item is both delivered to and paid for by the customer during the exemption period.
77.54(67)(c)8.b.
b. The purchaser orders and pays for the item and the seller accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period. For purposes of this subd.
8. b., the seller accepts an order when the seller has taken action to fill the order for immediate shipment. Actions to fill an order include placement of an in-date stamp on a mail order or assignment of an order number to a telephone order. For purposes of this subd.
8. b., an order is for immediate shipment when the customer does not request delayed shipment and regardless of whether the shipment is delayed because of a backlog of orders or because stock is currently unavailable, or on back order, by the seller.
77.54(67)(c)9.
9. For a 60-day period immediately after the exemption period under this subsection, when a purchaser returns an item that would qualify for the exemption, no credit for or refund of sales tax shall be given unless the purchaser provides a receipt or invoice that shows tax was paid or the seller has sufficient documentation to show that tax was paid on the specific item.
77.54(67)(c)10.
10. The time zone of the seller's location determines the authorized period for the exemption under this subsection when the retailer and purchaser are located in different time zones.
77.54(67)(d)
(d) This subsection does not apply in 2019 or in any year thereafter.
77.54(68)(a)(a) The sales price from the sale of and the use or other consumption of a service provided by an electric cooperative to another electric cooperative, or by a telecommunications utility to another telecommunications utility, for disaster relief work performed during a disaster period.
77.54(68)(b)2.
2. “Disaster period" means the time that begins 10 days before a state of emergency and ends 60 days after the state of emergency ends.
77.54(68)(b)3.
3. “Disaster relief work" means work, including repairing, renovating, installing, building, or performing other services or activities, relating to infrastructure in this state that has been damaged, impaired, or destroyed in connection with a state of emergency.
77.54(68)(b)4m.
4m. “State of emergency” means the time when an electric cooperative wishing to receive services from another electric cooperative or a telecommunications utility wishing to receive services from another telecommunications utility invokes a mutual aid agreement and at least 20 percent of the electrical or telecommunications system is nonoperational.
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;
2011 a. 7,
10,
32,
208,
260;
2013 a. 20,
145,
185,
324,
346;
2015 a. 55,
60,
126,
216,
251,
364;
2017 a. 17,
58,
59,
190,
231,
290;
2017 a. 364 ss.
20,
48;
2017 a. 365 s.
111;
2017 a. 366 s.
99;
2017 a. 367; s. 13.92 (2) (i); s. 35.17 correction in (9m).
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 sub. (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 $1,200, 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.
