Monday, April 28, 2008

Whiplash In Ohio As They Switch Back To Origin Based

On April 25, the Ohio Department of Taxation issued a press release about a recent bill signed by the Governor switching back to sourcing sales at the origin instead of destination. You may recall that Ohio swiched to destination sourcing back in 2006 in an effort to become a full member of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP).

The SSTP is a multi-state effort to simplify and standardize sales tax rules across state lines. For years, the multistate group required states to move to destination sourcing in order to become full members. Ohio got on board and passed their law to change to destination sourcing. This caused a big problem for delivery sellers like furniture and appliance stores. Suddenly all of them had to put in systems to charge tax based on the tax rate of the delivery.
Now, last summer, in response to concerns from small businesses (according to the press release), the Ohio General Assembly put the shift to destination sourcing of delivery sales on hold. Later, in December, the Governing Board of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project decided to allow "origin states" to become a full member of the organization starting in 2010 as long as at least four other "origin states" are also ready to become full members. So now, Ohio has moved back into the origin camp.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Refund Opportunity in Missouri for Electricity Resold

Hotels in Missouri can purchase electricity for resale to the extent it is used for paying guests and not in common areas. So how do you calculate that amount? You can use the Department's suggested form, but it's complicated and time consuming. Or you can just use the relative square feet for guest rooms and common areas. That was the method used by one Taxpayer and it was finally ok'd by the Commisioner in MO. See Kansas City Power & Light Co. v. Director of Revenue, Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission, No. 06-1589 RS, March 12, 2008.
 
Contact us at www.PeisnerJohnson.com for help in securing these refunds. We can usually do it for less than it will cost you to do it yourself.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Refund Opportunity in Missouri for Electricity Resold

Hotels in Missouri can purchase electricity for resale to the extent it is used for paying guests and not in common areas. So how do you calculate that amount? You can use the Department's suggested form, but it's complicated and time consuming. Or you can just use the relative square feet for guest rooms and common areas. That was the method used by one Taxpayer and it was finally ok'd by the Commisioner in MO. See Kansas City Power & Light Co. v. Director of Revenue, Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission, No. 06-1589 RS, March 12, 2008.
 
Contact us at www.PeisnerJohnson.com for help in securing these refunds. We can usually do it for less than it will cost you to do it yourself.