93-004

Response April 23, 1993

 

 

Request

ATTN MR JOE B PACHECO, COMMISSIONER

UTAH STATE TAX COMMISSION

160 EAST THIRD SOUTH

SALT LAKE CITY UT 84134

 

Dear Mr. Pacheco:

 

This represents our formal request for declaratory judgement pending positive advisory opinion from the Tax Commission's Auditing Division. Under the exclusion rule in 59-12-104 exemptions Utah Tax Code 1991-92 (Sales and Use Tax Rule A-12-02-S85), exemption is requested for the following capital projects:

 

PROJECT AMOUNT REF. NO.

 

XXXXX $$$$$ XXXXX

XXXXX $$$$$ XXXXX

XXXXX/

XXXXX $$$$$ XXXXX

 

A brief synopsis of each project follows with more detailed project description/justification attached to assist in your advisory opinion and declaratory judgement determination efforts:

 

XXXXX - Modifications and improvements to upgrade warehouse space to accommodate the production of XXXXX in our Sandy molding and extrusion operations.

 

XXXXX - Growth in manufacturing product volume, food service cafeteria expansion, accompanied by absorption of the XXXXX into our Sandy operations compels us to increase load capacity most economically by constructing a XXXXX electrical substation.

 

XXXXX - XXXXX market demands for products that minimize exposure to accidental needle sticks and provide patient and user safety features require incremental assembly line and applicable support equipment to meet forecasted unit demand.

 

Each of the above capital projects is clearly for use in new or expanding operations and is exclusive of normal and replacement type outlays.

 

If you feel further explanation and documentation is necessary, please contact me at XXXXX. I can meet with you, at your convenience, at your office or our Sandy, Utah facility.

 

Sincerely,

 

XXXXX

 

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO: XXXXX, Director

 

FROM: XXXXX, Secretary

 

DATE: XXXXX

 

SUBJECT: Request for Advisory Opinion - No. 93-004DJ

 

Attached is a request for an advisory opinion from XXXXX of XXXXX. Will you please review the request of XXXXX regarding exemption for capital projects.

 

Please prepare the response for signature by the Commission as per the guidelines established by them.

 

Thank you.


 

 

April 23, 1993

 

XXXXX

 

Re: Declaratory Judgment, Manufacturer's Machinery Exemption

 

Dear XXXXX:

 

This letter is in response to your recent request for the Tax Commission to issue a declaratory judgment that your intended machinery and equipment purchases qualify for exemption from sales or use tax under the provisions of Utah Code Section 59-12104(15) and Administrative Rule R865-19-85S.

 

Although your inquiry was framed as a request for a declaratory judgement, Tax Commission policy is to initially treat all such inquiries as requests for advisory opinions. As such, it was referred to the Tax Commission's Auditing Division for their analysis and recommendation. The division's recommendations are as follows:

 

1. XXXXX, $$$$$ -- Ref. No. XXXXX. This project involves modification of real property, not acquisition of manufacturing machinery or equipment. The project does not qualify for the exemption outlined in the above referential statute and rule.

 

2. XXXXX, $$$$$ -- Ref. No. XXXXX. This project involves some real property and acquisition of equipment not directly used in the manufacturing process. The project does not, therefore, qualify for the exemption.

 

3. XXXXX, $$$$$ -- Ref. No. XXXXX. The portion of the project representing equipment. and machinery for what your description categorizes as a “new product line”, which will actually result in increased employment, qualifies for the exemption, assuming all other requirements of statute and rule are met.

 

Based upon the facts presented in your letter, we are in agreement with the Auditing Division's recommendations. Obviously, if there are deviations from these facts, this opinion may he negated.

 

If you do not agree with this determination, you may appeal to the Tax Commission for a formal hearing. The results of that hearing would constitute a declaratory judgment and be appealable to the Utah State Supreme Court. A Notice of Appeal Rights and a copy of the Utah Taxpayer Bill of Rights are attached.

 

For the Commission,

 

Joe B. Pacheco