Iowa Admin. Code r. 701-18.37
Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 22, May 1, 2024
Rule 701-18.37 - Motor fuel, special fuel, aviation fuels and gasoline(1)In general. The gross receipts from the sale of motor fuel and special fuel are exempt from sales tax under Iowa Code section 422.45(11) if (1) the fuel is consumed for highway use, in watercraft, or in aircraft, (2) the Iowa fuel tax has been imposed and paid, and (3) no refund or credit of fuel tax has been made or will be allowed. However, beginning July I, 1985, the gross receipts from the sale of special fuel for diesel engines used in commercial watercraft on rivers bordering Iowa are exempt from sales tax, even though no fuel tax has been imposed and paid, providing the seller delivers the fuel to the owner's watercraft while it is afloat. Prior to July I, 1988, retail sales of aviation gasoline were not exempt from sales tax under Iowa Code subsection 422.45(11). See subrule 18.37(4).(2)Refunds or credits of motor fuel and special fuel Claims for refund or credit of fuel taxes under the provisions of Iowa Code chapter 452A must be reduced by any sales or use tax owing the state unless a sales tax exemption is applicable. Generally, refund claims or credits are allowed where fuel is purchased tax paid and used for purposes other than to propel a motor vehicle or used in watercraft.(3)Refunds of tax on fuel purchased in Iowa and consumed out of Iowa. Even though fuel is purchased in Iowa, fuel tax paid in Iowa, and the fuel tax is subject to refund under the provisions of division III of Iowa Code chapter 452A relating to interstate motor vehicle operations, the refund of the fuel tax does not subject the purchase of the fuel to sales tax. subjecting the purchase to sales tax has the effect of imposing sales tax when fuel is consumed in interstate commerce while fuel consumed on Iowa highways in intrastate commerce is exempt from sales tax pursuant to Iowa Code subsection 422.45(11). The effect for sales tax purposes is to impose a greater tax burden on non-Iowa highway fuel consumption than Iowa highway fuel consumption thereby discriminating against interstate commerce. In addition, the effect of imposing sales tax on interstate excess purchases where intrastate highway use is not subject to the tax constitutes an export duty for purchasing fuel in Iowa and exporting it for use in another state. Such effects are in violation of the commerce clause of the United States Constitution.Boston Stock Exchange v. State Tax commission, 1977, 429 U.S. 319, 97 S.Ct. 599,50 L.Ed.2d 514 andCoe V. Errol 1886, 116 U.S. 517, 6 S.Ct. 475, 29L.Ed. 715.(4)Aviation gasoline. Tax treatment prior to July I, 1988. Prior to July I, 1988, all Iowa fuel tax paid on aviation gasoline used in aircraft was refundable under Iowa Code section 452A17.. Generally, aviation gasoline is not purchased for highway use or for use in watercraft, therefore, the exemption from sales and use tax found in Iowa Code subsection 422.45(11) was generally not applicable to purchases of aviation gasoline. However, Iowa Code subsection 422.52(4) provides for the collection of sales tax by way of deduction from motor fuel tax refunds allowable under Iowa Code chapter 452A. Therefore, sales tax is not assessed at the retail level but only in instances where the fuel tax paid on aviation gasoline has been refunded. If no application for a fuel tax refund relating to aviation fuel has been made, no sales tax is assessed on the aviation gasoline purchase.(5)Ethanol For tax periods after April 30, 1981. Retail sales of ethanol are exempt from Iowa sales or use tax.(6)Tax base. The basis for computing the Iowa sales tax will be the retail selling price of the fuel less any Iowa fuel tax included in such price. Federal excise tax should not be removed from the selling price in determining the proper sales tax due.W.M. Gurley v. Arny Rhoden supra. Also see rule 701-1512. (422,423). This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 422.31, 422.43, 422.45(11), 422.45(22), 422.52(4), 423.1, 452A.3, and 452A.17.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 701-18.37