5777046, 12BER08-14 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Notice: 5777046

Notice of Emergency Rule

Department:

DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Division:

Miscellaneous Tax

Overview

RULE:

12BER08-14	Scope; Definitions; Index Price
12BER08-15	Imposition of the Gross Receipts Tax
12BER08-16	Registration for Gross Receipts Tax Purposes
12BER08-17	Payment of Gross Receipts Tax; Reports

SPECIFIC REASONS FOR FINDING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE:

Chapter 2005-148, Laws of Florida, authorizes the Department of Revenue to promulgate emergency rules, and to renew such rules, to implement the provisions of that law. The promulgation of these emergency rules ensures that the appropriate procedures and forms are available for reporting and remitting gross receipts tax on utility service.

REASON FOR CONCLUDING THAT THE PROCEDURE IS FAIR UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES:

The Legislature expressly authorized the promulgation of emergency rules, and the renewal of such rules, to ensure the prompt availability of procedures taxpayers can follow to comply with Chapter 203, F.S. (as amended by Chapters 2005-148 and 2007-60, Laws of Florida). The Department of Revenue previously sought comment on these emergency rules to the extent possible within the time restraints resulting from the statutory requirements. The preliminary text of proposed rules regarding the imposition of the gross receipts tax on utility services was posted on the Department of Revenue web site. Rule development workshops were held on November 16, 2005, and March 15, 2007, to receive public comments regarding the preliminary text. The public comments received were considered by the Department in preparation of these emergency rules.

SUMMARY:

Emergency Rule 12BER08-14 (Scope; Definitions; Index Price): (1) provides that Emergency Rules 12BER08-14 through 12BER08-17, apply to the tax imposed under Chapter 203, F.S., on utility services delivered to a retail consumer in Florida; (2) defines the terms “cost price,” “distribution company,” “Department,” “electricity index price,” “gas index price,” “gross receipts,” “utility services,” and “person” for purposes of Emergency Rules 12BER08-14 through 12BER08-17; (3) provides that the gross receipts tax imposed on certain utility services delivered to a retail consumer in Florida is based on an index price; (4) provides how the Department will announce the annual index prices for electricity and for natural and manufactured gas; (5) provides that the index price applies to electricity only if the transportation of the electricity is sold independent of the sale of the electricity itself; and (6) provides when the calculation of the tax requires the use of an index price, the distribution company must use a reasonable methodology to apply the residential, commercial, and industrial classifications to its existing rate structure.
Emergency Rule 12BER08-15 (Imposition of the Gross Receipts Tax), provides: (1) that the 2.5 percent gross receipts tax is imposed on distribution companies’ gross receipts from the privilege of selling and transporting natural or manufactured gas to retail consumers in Florida; (2) how the tax is computed based on the index price; (3) that the sale or transportation of natural or manufactured gas to public or private utilities for use as a fuel in the generation of electricity or for resale is not subject to tax; (4) that the sale or transportation of natural or manufactured gas to persons eligible for an exemption under Section 212.08(7)(ff)2., F.S., for use as an energy source or a raw material is not subject to tax and how to document such sales; (5) that the 2.5 percent gross receipts tax is imposed on distribution companies’ gross receipts from the privilege of selling and transporting electricity to retail consumers in Florida and how the tax is to be calculated; (6) that the tax does not apply to receipts from customers for purposes of resale; (7) that receipts from separately itemized charges for the connection, disconnection, suspension, or restoration of utility services are not subject to tax; (8) that receipts from separately itemized fees for returned checks, late payments, and interest due on late payments are not subject to the gross receipts tax; (9) that receipts from separately itemized charges for the sale, lease, rental, repair, or maintenance of customer premises equipment are not subject to gross receipts tax; (10) that the gross receipts tax applies to charges for utility services separately itemized to customers as an amount for services based on a standard rate amount with a separate rate adjustment; (11) that each and every fee imposed by a political subdivision of the State of Florida that is passed on to the customer as a separately itemized charge is included in the gross receipts subject to tax; (12) that any municipal public service tax and any sales tax separately itemized to the customer is not included in the gross receipts subject to tax; (13) that the sale or delivery of electricity as part of an electric interchange agreement or contract between utilities is not subject to tax and how to document such sale or delivery; (14) that wholesale sales of electric transmission services and the loss of electricity from the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity are not subject to tax; (15) that separately itemized charges for gross receipts tax on a customer’s bill, invoice, statement, or other evidence of sale are a part of the gross receipts of a distribution company; (16) for the imposition of use tax on natural or manufactured gas imported into Florida for which the Florida gross receipts tax has not been paid; (17) the documentation requirements, including a suggested resale certificate for tax-exempt sales of utility services for purposes of resale; and (18) recordkeeping requirements for taxpayers who sell or deliver utility services.
Emergency Rule 12BER08-16 (Registration for Gross Receipts Tax Purposes), provides: (1) that prior to engaging in the business of selling, transporting, delivering, or importing utility services in Florida, every person is required to register with the Department; and (2) how to register with the Department.
Emergency Rule 12BER08-17 (Payment of Gross Receipts Tax; Reports), provides: (1) how to report and remit to the Department the gross receipts tax imposed on utility services; (2) when taxpayers may elect to pay the gross receipts tax on total billings for electricity each month or on the actual gross receipts for electricity received in that month; (3) adopt, by reference, Form DR-133, Gross Receipts Tax Return; and (4) that persons engaged in the transportation of natural or manufactured gas must provide the Department with a list of customers to whom transportation services were provided in the prior year or post such a list on a publicly-accessible Internet web site.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE EMERGENCY RULE IS:

Robert Babin, Deputy Director, Technical Assistance and Dispute Resolution, Department of Revenue, P. O. Box 7443, Tallahassee, Florida 32314-7443, telephone (850)922-4842

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

6/27/2008 Vol. 34/26

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:

Joint Administrative Procedures Committee
Florida Administrative Law Central Online Network (F.A.L.C.O.N.)

RELATED COURT CASES:

Division of Administrative Hearings

FEDERAL eRULEMAKING
WEB PORTAL:

Regulations.gov

HOW TO LINK TO
THIS NOTICE:

http://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?id=12BER08-14&PDate=6/27/2008&Section=4

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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