La. Admin. Code tit. 61 § I-308

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-308 - Exemptions

A. General

1. Corporations organized for the purposes described in §308. B 1-15 of this Section are fully exempt from the payment of Louisiana Corporation Franchise Tax. Only those corporations which meet the prescribed standards of organization, ownership, control, sources of income, and disposition of funds are exempt from the tax, whether or not they may enjoy exemption from any other tax, federal, state, or local, or whether or not they may be specifically exempted from all taxes under the laws of the state in which they were organized, chartered, or domiciled.

2. A corporation is not exempt from the corporation franchise tax merely because it is a nonprofit organization. In each case, an organization other than those described in §308. B.1.a ii and iii as limited by §308. B.1.c.i and ii, must file a verified application for exemption with the Secretary of Revenue and Taxation which shall include an affidavit showing, in addition to such other information as the secretary may deem necessary from any particular applicant, the following:

a. character of the organization;

b. purpose for which organized;

c. its actual activities;

d. ownership of stock in the corporation;

e. the source of its income;

f. the disposition of its income;

g. whether or not any of its income is credited to surplus, and if so, the intended future use of the retained amounts;

h. whether any of its income may inure to the benefit of any shareholder or individual;

i. a copy of the charter or articles of incorporation;

j. bylaws of the organization;

k. the latest statement of the assets, liabilities, receipts, and disbursements;

l. any other facts relating to its operations which affect its right to exemption from the tax; and

m. a copy of the ruling or determination letter issued by the federal Internal Revenue Service.

3. The required application for exemption may be filed by an organization before it has started operations or at any time it can describe its operations in sufficient detail to permit a conclusion that it will be clearly exempt under the particular requirements of the Section for which the exemption is sought.

4. Once the secretary has issued a ruling or determination letter that an organization, except those described in §308. B.1.a ii and iii, as limited by §308. B.1.c.i and ii, meets the exemption requirements, there is no mandatory provision that it make a return or any further showing that it meets the specified requirements unless it changes the character of its organization or operations. The secretary reserves the right to review any exemption granted, and may require the filing of whatever information deemed necessary to permit proper evaluation of the exempt status.

5. No exemption will be granted to a corporation, other than those described in §308. B.1.a ii and iii, as limited by §308. B.1.c.i and ii, organized and operated for the purpose of carrying on a trade or business for profit, even though its entire income may be contributed or distributed to another organization or organizations which are themselves exempt from the tax.

6. An application for exemption filed by a corporation under either the Louisiana income tax law or the Louisiana corporation franchise tax law may be accepted by the secretary as fulfilling the application requirements under both laws. Taxpayers are cautioned, however, that approval of exemption under either law does not grant exemption under the other law in the absence of a statement contained in the ruling to that effect.

7. A corporation is either entirely exempt from the corporation franchise tax law or it is wholly taxable. There is no statutory provision under which partial exemption may be granted.

B. Exempt Corporations

1. Labor, Agricultural or Horticultural Organizations

a. Labor, agricultural, or horticultural organizations which are exempt under this provision are those corporations which have:

i. no net income inuring to the benefit of any stockholder or member and are educational or instructive in character, and have as their objects the betterment of conditions of those engaged in such pursuits, or improvements of the grade of their respective occupations; or

ii. at least 75 percent of the beneficial ownership held by or for the benefit of members, or the spouses of members of a family, and at least 80 percent of total gross income is from the production, harvesting, and preparation for market of products produced by the corporation; or

iii. at least 80 percent of total gross income of the corporation derived from the production, harvesting, and preparation for market of products produced by the corporation, but only if total gross income of such corporation did not exceed $500,000 for the previous year.

b. For purposes of this Subsection, agricultural includes the art or science of cultivating land, harvesting crops or aquatic resources, excluding minerals, or raising livestock, poultry, fish, and crawfish. Thus, the following types of organizations (but not limited thereto) which meet the requirements of §308. B.1.a i, will be deemed to be exempt from the tax:

i. an organization engaged in the promotion of artificial insemination of livestock;

ii. a nonprofit organization of growers and producers formed principally to negotiate with processors for the price to be paid to members for their produce;

iii. a nonprofit organization of persons engaged in raising fish (or crawfish) as a cash crop on farms that were formed to encourage better and more economical methods of fish farming and to promote the interest of its members; or

iv. parish fairs and like organizations formed to encourage the development of better agricultural and horticultural products through a system of awards, and whose income is used exclusively to meet the necessary expenses of upkeep and operations;

c. corporations engaged in growing agricultural or horticultural products for profit are not exempt from the tax, except as provided in §308. B.1.a ii and iii, subject to the following limitations:

i. any corporation engaged in the production, harvesting, and preparation for market of raw agricultural products or horticultural products produced by it and that has at least 80 percent of its gross income from such pursuits is exempt from corporation franchise tax, but only if 75 percent or more of the beneficial ownership in such corporation is held by or for the benefit of a single family. For purposes of this Paragraph, a single family shall consist of brothers, sisters, spouses, ancestors, and lineal descendants, including those legally adopted;

ii. any corporation engaged in the production, harvesting, and preparation for market of raw agricultural or horticultural products produced by such corporation is exempt from corporation franchise tax, but only if:

(a). at least 80 percent of its income is from such activity; and

(b). total gross income of the corporation for the previous year did not exceed $500,000.

2. Mutual Savings Banks, National Banking Corporations and Banking Corporations Organized under the Laws of Louisiana, and Building and Loan Associations

a. Mutual savings banks, national banking corporations, and building and loan associations are exempt from the tax imposed by this Chapter regardless of where organized.

b. Banking corporations organized under the laws of the state of Louisiana which are required by other laws of this state to pay a tax for their shareholders, or whose shareholders are required to pay a tax on their shares of stock, are exempt.

c. Banking corporations, other than those described in §308. B.2.a and b above, organized under the laws of a state other than the state of Louisiana are not exempt from the tax.

3. Fraternal Beneficiary Societies, Orders or Associations Operating under the Lodge System. Fraternal beneficiary societies, orders, or associations are exempt from tax only if operated under the lodge system or for the exclusive benefit of the members of a fraternity itself operating under the lodge system. Operating under the lodge system means carrying on its activities under a form of organization that comprises local branches, chartered by a parent organization, and largely self-governing, called lodges, chapters, or the like. In order to be exempt, it is necessary that the organization have an established system for the payment of life, sick, accident, or other benefits to its members or their dependents.

4. Cemetery Companies

a. Cemetery companies are exempt from the corporation franchise tax if:

i. they are owned and operated exclusively for the benefit of their lot owners who hold such lots for bona fide burial purposes and not for the purpose of resale, or they are not operated for profit;

ii. they are not permitted by their charter to engage in any business not necessarily incident to burial purposes; and

iii. no part of their net earnings inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

b. For purposes of this Paragraph, a nonprofit corporation engaged in the operation of a crematory, which otherwise meets the exemption qualifications set forth herein, will be deemed to be an exempt cemetery company.

c. Such companies may issue preferred stock entitling the holders to dividends at a fixed rate not exceeding 8 percent per annum on the value of the consideration for which the stock was issued, but only if the articles of incorporation require that the preferred stock shall be retired at par as soon as sufficient funds available therefor are realized from sales, and that all funds not required for the payment of dividends or for retirement of the preferred stock shall be used for the care and improvement of the cemetery property.

5. Community Chests, Funds or Foundations

a. Organizational and Operational Tests

i. In order to be exempt as an organization described in R.S. 47:608(5), an organization must be both organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the purposes specified in such .Section. If an organization fails to meet either the organizational test or the operational test, it is not exempt.

ii. The term exempt purpose or purposes as used in this Section means any purpose or purposes specified in R.S. 47:608(5), as defined and elaborated in Subparagraph d of this Section (see §308. B.5.d

b. Organizational Test

i. In General

(a). An organization is organized exclusively for one or more exempt purposes only if its articles of organization (referred to in this Section as its articles) as defined in §308. B.5.b ii:

(i). limit the purposes of such organization to one or more exempt purposes; and

(ii). do not expressly empower the organization to engage, otherwise than as an insubstantial part of its activities, in activities which in themselves are not in furtherance of one or more exempt purposes.

(b). In meeting the organizational test, the organization's purposes, as stated in its articles, may be as broad as, or more specific than, the purposes stated in R.S. 47:608(5). Therefore, an organization which, by the terms of its articles, is formed for literary and scientific purposes, within the meaning of R.S. 47:608(5) shall, if it otherwise meets the requirements in this Paragraph, be considered to have met the organizational test. Similarly, articles stating that the organization is created solely to receive contributions and pay them over to organizations which are described in R.S. 47:608(5) and exempt from taxation under R.S. 47:608(5) are sufficient for purposes of the organizational test. Moreover, it is sufficient if the articles set forth the purpose of the organization to be the operation of a school for adult education and describe in detail the manner of the operation of such school. In addition, if the articles state that the organization is formed for charitable purposes , such articles ordinarily shall be sufficient for purposes of the organizational test (see §308. B.5.b.v for rules relating to construction of terms.

(c). An organization is not organized exclusively for one or more exempt purposes if its articles expressly empower it to carry on, otherwise than as an insubstantial part of its activities, activities which are not in furtherance of one or more exempt purposes, even though such organization is, by the terms of such articles, created for a purpose that is no broader than the purposes specified in R.S. 47:608(5). Thus, an organization that is empowered by its articles to engage in a manufacturing business , or to engage in the operation of a social club does not meet the organizational test regardless of the fact that its articles may state that such organization is created for charitable purpose s within the meaning of R.S. 47:608(5).

(d). In no case shall an organization be considered to be organized exclusively for one or more exempt purposes if, by the terms of its articles, the purposes for which such organization is created are broader than the purposes specified in R.S. 47:608(5). The fact that the actual operations of such an organization have been exclusively in furtherance of one or more exempt purposes shall not be sufficient to permit the organization to meet the organizational test. Similarly, such an organization will not meet the organizational test as a result of statements or other evidence that the members thereof intend to operate only in furtherance of one or more exempt purposes.

(e). An organization must, in order to establish its exemption, submit a detailed statement of its proposed activities with and as a part of its application for exemption.

ii. Articles of Organization. For purposes of this Section, the term articles of organization or articles includes the trust instrument, the corporate charter, the articles of association, or any other written instrument by which an organization is created.

iii. Authorization of Legislative or Political Activities

(a). An organization is not organized exclusively for one or more exempt purposes if its articles expressly empower it:

(i). to devote more than an insubstantial part of its activities attempting to influence legislation by propaganda;

(ii). to directly or indirectly participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office; or

(iii). to have objectives and to engage in activities which characterize it as an action organization as defined in §308. B.5.c iii.

(b). The terms used in §308. B.5.b iii.(a).(i)-(iii) shall have the meanings provided in §308. B.5 c

iv. Distribution of Assets on Dissolution. An organization is not organized exclusively for one or more exempt purposes unless its assets are dedicated to an exempt purpose. An organization's assets will be considered dedicated to an exempt purpose, for example, if, upon dissolution, such assets would, by reason of a provision in the organization's articles or by operation of law, be distributed for one or more exempt purposes, or to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose, or would be distributed by a court to another organization to be used in such manner as the court decides will best accomplish the general purposes for which the dissolved organization was organized. However, an organization does not meet the organizational test if its articles of incorporation or the law of the state in which it was created provided that its assets would, upon dissolution, be distributed to its members or shareholders.

v. Construction of Terms. The law of the state in which an organization is created shall be controlling in interpreting the terms of its articles. However, any organization which contends that such terms have, under state law, a different meaning from their generally accepted meaning must establish such special meaning by clear and convincing reference to relevant court decisions, opinions of the state attorney general, or other evidence of applicable state law.

vi. Applicability of the Organization Test. A determination by the secretary that an organization as described in R.S. 47:608(5) and exempt under R.S. 47:608(5) will not be granted the exemption unless such organization meets the organizational test prescribed by this Subparagraph. If an organization has been determined by the secretary to be exempt as an organization described in R.S. 47:608(5) and such determination has not been revoked, the fact that such organization does not meet the organizational test prescribed by this Subparagraph shall not be basis for revoking such determination. Accordingly, an organization which has been determined to be exempt, and which does not seek a new determination of exemption, is not required to amend its articles of organization to conform to the rules of this Subparagraph.

c. Operational Test

i. Primary Activities. An organization will be regarded as operated exclusively for one or more exempt purposes only if it engages primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of such exempt purposes specified in R.S. 47:608(5). An organization will not be so regarded if more than an insubstantial part of its activities is not in furtherance of an exempt purpose.

ii. Distribution of Earnings. An organization is not operated exclusively for one or more exempt purposes if its net earnings inure in whole or in part to the benefit of private shareholders or individuals.

iii. Action Organizations

(a). An organization is not operated exclusively for one or more exempt purposes if it is an action organization as defined in §308. B.5.c iii.(b), (c), or (d).

(b). An organization is an action organization if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise. For this purpose, an organization will be regarded as attempting to influence legislation if the organization:

(i). contacts, or urges the public to contact, members of a legislative body for the purpose of proposing, supporting, or opposing legislation; or

(ii). advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation. The term legislation, as used in this Clause, includes action by the Congress, by any state legislature, by any local council or similar governing body, or by the public in a referendum, initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure. An organization will not fail to meet the operational test merely because it advocates, as an insubstantial part of its activities, the adoption or rejection of legislation.

(c). An organization is an action organization if it participates or intervenes, directly or indirectly, in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. The term candidate for public office means an individual who offers himself, or is proposed by others, as a contestant for an elective public office, whether such office be national, state, or local. Activities which constitute participation or intervention in a political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate include, but are not limited to, the publication or distribution of written or printed statements or the making of oral statements on behalf of or in opposition to such a candidate.

(d). An organization is an action organization if it has the following two characteristics:

(i). its main or primary objective or objectives (as distinguished from its incidental or secondary objectives) may be attained only by legislation or a defeat of proposed legislation; and

(ii). it advocates, or campaigns for, the attainment of such main or primary objective or objectives as distinguished from engaging in nonpartisan analysis, study, or research and making the results thereof available to the public. In determining whether an organization has such characteristics, all the surrounding facts and circumstances, including the articles and all activities of the organization, are to be considered.

(e). An action organization, described in §308. B.5.c iii.(b) or (d), though it cannot qualify under R.S. 47:608(5), may nevertheless qualify as a social welfare organization under R.S. 47:608(7) if it meets the requirements set out in R.S. 47:608(7).

d. Exempt Purposes

i. In General

(a). An organization may be exempt as an organization described in R.S. 47:608(5) if it is organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the following purposes:

(i). religious;

(ii). charitable;

(iii). scientific;

(iv). literary;

(v). educational; or

(vi). prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

(b). An organization is not organized or operated exclusively for one or more of the purposes specified in §308. B.5.d.i (a) unless it serves a public rather than a private interest. Thus, to meet the requirement of this Subclause, it is necessary for an organization to establish that it is not organized or operated for the benefit of private interest such as designated individuals, the creator or his family, shareholders of the organization, or persons controlled, directly or indirectly, by such private interest.

(c). Since each of the purposes specified in §308. B.5.d.i (a) is an exempt purpose in itself, an organization may be exempt if it is organized and operated exclusively for any one or more of such purposes.

(d). If, in fact, an organization is organized and operated exclusively for an exempt purpose or purposes, exemption will be granted to such an organization regardless of the purpose or purposes specified in its application for exemption. For example, if an organization claims exemption on the ground that it is educational, an exemption will not be denied if, in fact, it is charitable .

ii. Charitable Defined

(a). The term charitable as used in R.S. 47:608(5) in its generally accepted legal sense is not to be construed as limited by the separate enumeration in R.S. 47:608(5) of other tax-exempt purposes which may fall within the broad outlines of charity as developed by judicial decisions. Such term includes: relief of the poor and distressed or of the underprivileged; advancement of religion; advancement of education or science; erection or maintenance of public buildings, monuments, or work; lessening of the burdens of government; and promotion of social welfare by organizations designed to accomplish any of the above purposes; or

(i). to lessen neighborhood tension;

(ii). to eliminate prejudice and discrimination;

(iii). to defend human and civil rights secured by law; or

(iv). to combat community deterioration and juvenile delinquency.

(b). The fact that an organization which is organized and operated for the relief of indigent persons may receive voluntary contributions from the persons intended to be relieved will not necessarily prevent such organization from being exempt as an organization organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes.

(c). The fact that an organization, in carrying out its primary purpose, advocates social or civic changes or presents opinions on controversial issues with the intention of molding public opinion or creating public sentiment to an acceptance of its views does not preclude such organization from qualifying under R.S. 47:608(5) so long as it is not an action organization of any one of the types described in §308. B.5.c iii.

iii. Educational Defined

(a). In General. The term educational, as used in R.S. 47:608(5), relates to:

(i). the instruction or training of the individual for the purpose of improving or developing his capabilities; or

(ii). the instruction of the public on subjects useful to the individual and beneficial to the community.

(b). An organization may be educational even though it advocates a particular position or viewpoint, so long as it presents a sufficiently full and fair exposition of the pertinent facts as to permit an individual or the public to form an independent opinion or conclusion. On the other hand, an organization is not educational if its principal function is the mere presentation of unsupported opinion.

(c). Examples of Educational Organizations. The following are examples of organizations which, if they otherwise meet the requirements of this Subsection, are educational.

(i). Example. An organization, such as a primary or secondary school, a college, or a professional or trade school, which has a regularly scheduled curriculum, a regular faculty, and a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at a place where the educational activities are regularly carried on.

(ii). Example. An organization whose activities consist of presenting public discussion groups, forums, panels, lectures, or other similar programs. Such programs may be on radio or television.

(iii). Example. An organization which presents a course of instruction by means of correspondence or through the use of television or radio.

(iv). Example. Museums, zoos, planetariums, symphony orchestras, and other similar organizations.

iv. Scientific Defined

(a). Since an organization may meet the requirements of R.S. 47:608(5) only if it serves a public rather than a private interest, a scientific organization must be organized and operated in the public interest [§308. B.5.d.i (b)]. Therefore, the term scientific, as used in R.S. 47:608(5) includes the carrying on of scientific research in the public interest. Research when taken alone is a word with various meanings; it is not synonymous with scientific , and the nature of particular research depends upon the purpose which it serves. For research to be scientific within the meaning of R.S. 47:608(5), it must be carried on in furtherance of a scientific purpose. The determination as to whether research is scientific does not depend on such research being classified as fundamental or basic, as contrasted with applied or practical.

(b). Scientific research does not include activities of a type ordinarily carried on as an incident to commercial or industrial operations, as, for example, the ordinary testing or inspection of materials or products, or the designing or construction of equipment, buildings, etc.

(c). Scientific research will be regarded as carried on in the public interest:

(i). if the results of such research (including any patents, copyrights, processes, or formulas resulting from such research) are made available to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis;

(ii). if such research is performed for the United States, or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or for a state or political Subdivision thereof; or

(iii). if such research is directed toward benefiting the public. The following are examples of scientific research which will be considered as directed toward benefiting the public, and, therefore, which will be regarded as carried on in the public interest:

[a]. scientific research carried on for the purpose of aiding in the scientific education of college or university students;

[b]. scientific research carried on for the purpose of obtaining scientific information, which is published in a treatise, thesis, trade publication, or in any other form that is available to the interested public;

[c]. scientific research carried on for the purpose of discovering a cure for a disease; or

[d]. scientific research carried on for the purpose of aiding a community or geographical area by attracting new industry to the community or area or by encouraging the development of, or retention of, an industry in the community or area. Scientific research described in §308. B.5.d iv.(c) will be regarded as carried on in the public interest even though such research is performed pursuant to a contract or agreement under which the sponsor or sponsors of the research have the right to obtain ownership or control of any patents, copyrights, processes, or formulas resulting from such research.

(d). An organization will not be regarded as organized and operated for the purpose of carrying on scientific research in the public interest and, consequently, will not qualify under R.S. 47:608(5) as a scientific organization, if:

(i). such organization will perform research only for persons who are (directly or indirectly) its creators and who are not described in R.S. 47:608(5); or

(ii). such organization retains (directly or indirectly) the ownership or control of more than an insubstantial portion of the patents, copyrights, processes, or formulas resulting from its research and does not make such patents, copyrights, processes, or formulas available to the public. For purposes of this Subclause, a patent, copyright, process, or formula shall be considered as made available to the public if such patent, copyright, process, or formula is made available to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. In addition, although one person is granted the exclusive right to the use of a patent, copyright, process, or formula, it shall be considered as made available to the public if the granting of such exclusive right is the only practicable manner in which the patent, copyright, process, or formula can be used to benefit the public. In such a case, however, the research from which the patent, copyright, process, or formula resulted will be regarded as carried on in the public interest (within the meaning of §308. B.5.d iv.(c).(iii) if it is carried on for a person described in §308. B.5.d iv.(c).(ii) or if it is scientific research described in §308. B.5.d iv.(c).(iii).

(e). The fact that any organization (including a college, university, or hospital) carries on research which is not in furtherance of an exempt purpose described in R.S. 47:608(5) will not preclude such organization from meeting the requirements of R.S. 47:608(5) so long as the organization meets the organizational test and is not operated for the primary purpose of carrying on such research (see §308. B.5.e relating to organizations carrying on a trade or business).

e. Organizations Carrying on Trade or Business. In general, an organization may meet the requirements of R.S. 47:608(5) although it operates a trade or business as a substantial part of its activities, if the operation of such trade or business is in furtherance of the organization's exempt purpose or purposes and if the organization is not organized or operated for the primary purpose of carrying on an unrelated trade or business. In determining the existence or nonexistence of such primary purpose, all the circumstances must be considered, including the size and extent of the trade or business and the size and extent of the activities which are in furtherance of one or more exempt purposes. An organization which is organized and operated for the primary purpose of carrying on an unrelated trade or business is not exempt under R.S. 47:608(5), even though it has certain religious purposes, its property is held in common, and its profits do not inure to the benefit of individual members of the organization.

6. Business Leagues, Chambers of Commerce, Real Estate Boards, and Boards of Trade. A business league is an association of persons having some common business interest, the purpose of which is to promote such common interest and not to engage in regular business of a kind ordinarily carried on for profit. It is an organization of the same general class as a chamber of commerce or board of trade. Thus, its activities should be directed to the improvement of business conditions of one or more lines of business as distinguished from the performance of particular services for individual persons. An organization whose purpose is to engage in a regular business of a kind ordinarily carried on for profit, even though the business is conducted on a cooperative basis or produces only sufficient income to be self sustaining, is not a business league. An association engaged in furnishing information to prospective investors to enable them to make sound investments is not a business league since its activities do not further any common business interest, even though all of its income is devoted to the purpose stated. A stock or commodity exchange is not a business league, a chamber of commerce, or a board of trade within the meaning of R.S. 47:608(6) and is not exempt from the tax.

7. Civic Leagues and Local Associations of Employees

a. Civic leagues or organizations may be exempt, provided they are not organized or operated for profit, and are operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare. An organization is operated exclusively for social welfare only if it is primarily engaged in promoting in some manner the common good and general welfare of people in the community. An organization embraced within this provision is one which is operated primarily for the purpose of bringing about civic betterment and social improvements. A social welfare organization will qualify for exemption as a charitable organization if it falls within the definition of charitable set forth in §308. B.5.d ii and is not an action organization as set forth in §308. B.5.c iii.

b. The promotion of social welfare does not include direct or indirect participation or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office, nor is an organization operated primarily for the promotion of social welfare if its primary activity is operating a social club for the benefit, pleasure, or recreation of its members, or is carrying on a business with the general public in a manner similar to organizations which are operated for profit. See R.S. 47:608(6) and the regulations issued thereunder, relating to business leagues and similar organizations. A social welfare organization may qualify under this Section even though it is an action organization described in §308. B if it otherwise qualifies under this Section.

c. Local associations of employees described in R.S. 47:608(7) are expressly entitled to exemption. As conditions to exemption, it is required that:

i. membership of such an association be limited to the employees of a designated person or persons in a particular municipality;

ii. the net earnings of the association be devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes;

iii. its activities are confined to a particular community, place, or district. If the activities are limited only by the borders of a state, it cannot be considered to be local in character; and

iv. no substantial part of the activities of the association is carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation.

8. Social Clubs

a. The exemption provided by R.S. 47:608(8) applies only to clubs which are organized and operated exclusively for pleasure, recreation, and other nonprofitable purposes, but does not apply to any club if any part of its net earnings inures to the benefit of any private shareholder. In general, the exemption extends to social and recreational clubs which are supported solely by membership fees, dues, and assessments. However, a club otherwise entitled to exemption will not be disqualified because it raises revenue from members through the use of club facilities or in connection with club activities.

b. A club which engages in business, such as making its social and recreational facilities available to the general public or by selling real estate or other products, is not organized and operated exclusively for pleasure, recreation, and other nonprofitable purposes, and is not exempt. Solicitation by advertisement or otherwise for public patronage to its facilities is prima facie evidence that the club is engaging in business and is not being operated exclusively for pleasure, recreation, or social purposes. However, an incidental sale of property will not deprive a club of its exemption.

9. Local Benevolent Life Insurance Associations, Mutual Ditch or Irrigation Companies, Mutual Cooperative or Telephone Companies, and Like Organizations

a. In order to be exempt under the provision of R.S. 47:608(9), an organization of the type specified must receive at least 85 percent of its income from amounts collected from members for the sole purpose of meeting losses and expenses. If an organization issues policies for stipulated cash premiums, or if it requires advance deposits to cover the cost of insurance and maintains investments from which more than 15 percent of its income is derived, it is not entitled to an exemption. Although it may make advance assessments for the sole purpose of meeting future losses and expenses, an organization may be entitled to the exemption provided that the balance of such assessments remaining on hand at the end of the year is retained to meet losses and expenses or is returned to members.

b. The phrase of a purely local character applies only to benevolent life insurance associations and organizations exempt on the ground that they are organizations similar to a benevolent life insurance association, and not to the other organizations specified in R.S. 47:608(9). An organization of a purely local character is one whose business activities are confined to a particular community, place, or district, irrespective of political subdivisions. If the activities of an organization are limited only by the borders of a state, it cannot be considered to be purely local in character.

10. Insurance Corporations. Insurance companies which pay or which are required to pay a premium tax under the provisions of Title 22 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 are exempt from the corporation franchise tax.

11. Farmers' and Fruit Growers' Cooperatives

a. Farmers' cooperative marketing associations engaged in the marketing of farm products for farmers, fruit growers, livestock growers, dairymen, etc., and turning back to the producers the proceeds of the sales of their products, less the necessary operating expenses, on the basis of either the quantity or the value of the products furnished by them, are exempt from the corporation franchise tax. Nonmember patrons must be treated the same as members insofar as the distribution of patronage dividends is concerned. Thus, if products are marketed for nonmember producers, the proceeds of the sales, less necessary operating expenses, must be returned to the patron from the sale of whose goods such proceeds result, whether or not such patrons are members of the association. In order to establish compliance with the statutory requirement that the proceeds of sales, less necessary operating expenses, be turned back to all producers on the basis of either the quantity or the value of the products furnished by them, it is necessary for such an association to keep permanent records of the business done with both members and nonmembers. While patronage dividends must be paid to all producers on the same basis, the requirement is complied with if an association, instead of paying patronage dividends to nonmembers in cash, keeps permanent records from which the proportionate share of the patronage dividends due to nonmember producers can be determined, and such shares are made applicable toward the purchase price of a share of stock or of a membership in the association.

b. An association which has capital stock will not for such reason be denied exemption:

i. if the dividend rate of such stock is fixed at not to exceed the legal rate of interest in the state of incorporation on the value of the consideration for which the stock was issued; and

ii. if substantially all of such stock (with the exception noted below) is owned by producers who market their products or purchase their supplies and equipment through the association. Any ownership of stock by others than such actual producers must be satisfactorily explained in the association's application for exemption. The association will be required to show that the ownership of its capital stock has been restricted as far as possible to such actual producers. If by statutory requirement all officers of an association must be shareholders, the ownership of a share of stock by a nonproducer to qualify him as an officer will not destroy the association's exemption. Likewise, if a shareholder for any reason ceases to be a producer and the association, because of a constitutional restriction or prohibition or other reason beyond the control of the association, is unable to purchase or retire the stock of such nonproducer, the fact that under such circumstances a small amount of the outstanding capital stock is owned by shareholders who are no longer producers will not destroy the exemption. The restriction placed on the ownership of capital stock of an exempt cooperative association shall not apply to nonvoting preferred stock, provided the owners of such stock are not entitled or permitted to participate, directly or indirectly, in the profits of the association, upon dissolution or otherwise, beyond the fixed dividends.

c. The accumulation and maintenance of a reserve required by state statute, or the accumulation and maintenance of a reasonable reserve or surplus for any necessary purpose, such as to provide for the erection of buildings and facilities required in business or for the purchase and installation of machinery and equipment or to retire indebtedness incurred for such purposes, will not destroy the exemption. An association will not be denied exemption because it markets the products of nonmembers, provided the value of the products marketed for nonmembers does not exceed the value of the products marketed for members. Anyone who shares in the profits of a farmers' cooperative marketing association and is entitled to participate in the management of the association must be regarded as a member of such association.

d. Cooperative associations engaged in the purchasing of supplies and equipment for farmers, fruit growers, livestock growers, dairymen, etc., and turning over such supplies and equipment to them at actual cost, plus the necessary operating expenses, are exempt. The term supplies and equipment includes groceries and all other goods and merchandise used by farmers in the operation and maintenance of a farm or farmer's household. The provisions relating to a reserve or surplus and to capital stock shall apply to associations coming under this Paragraph. An association which purchases supplies and equipment for nonmembers will not for such reason be denied exemption, provided the value of the purchases for nonmembers does not exceed the value of the purchases made for members, and provided the value of the purchases made for nonmembers who are not producers does not exceed 15 percent of the value of all its purchases.

e. In order to be exempt under R.S. 47:608(11), an association must establish that it has no income for its own account other than that reflected in a reserve or surplus authorized therein. An association engaged both in marketing farm products and in purchasing supplies and equipment is exempt only if it meets the prescribed requirements for each of its functions.

f. To be exempt, an association must not only be organized but actually operated in the manner of and for the purposes specified in R.S. 47:608(11).

g. Cooperative organizations engaged in activities dissimilar from those of farmers, fruitgrowers, and the like, are not exempt.

12. Corporations Organized to Finance Crop Operations. A corporation organized by a farmers' cooperative marketing or purchasing association, or the members thereof, for the purpose of financing the ordinary crop operations of such members or other producers is exempt, provided the marketing or purchasing association is exempt under the provisions of R. S. 47:608(11) and the financing corporation is operated in conjunction with the marketing or purchasing association. The provisions of R.S. 47:608(11) relating to a reserve or surplus and to capital stock also apply to corporations coming under this Paragraph.

13. Corporations Organized for the Exclusive Purpose of Holding Title to Property

a. Corporations organized for the exclusive purpose of holding title to property are exempt from the corporation franchise tax, but only if:

i. the entire amount of income from the property, less expenses, is turned over to organizations which are organized and operated exclusively for:

(a). religious purposes;

(b). charitable purposes;

(c). scientific purposes;

(d). literary purposes; or

(e). educational purposes; and

ii. no part of the net earnings inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or any organization organized and operated for a purpose other than those enumerated under §308. B 13.a.i.(a), whether or not the benefiting organization is exempt under other provisions of R.S. 47:608.

b. Corporations whose articles of incorporation or by-laws permit activities other than the holding of title to property, collecting the income therefrom, paying the necessary expenses of operating the property, and turning over the entire amount of its income, after expenses, to the specified types of organizations are not exempt.

14. Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Associations

a. In general, the exemption provided by R.S. 47:608(14) applies if all of the following requirements are met:

i. the organization is an association of employees;

ii. membership of the employees in the association is voluntary;

iii. the organization is operated only for the purpose of providing for the payment of life, sick, accident, or other benefits to its members or their dependents;

iv. no part of the net earnings of the organization inures, other than by payment of the benefits described in §308. B 14.a.iii, to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual; and

v. at least 85 percent of the income of the organization consists of amounts collected from members for the sole purpose of such payments of benefits and meeting expenses.

b. Explanation of requirements necessary to constitute an organization described in R.S. 47:608(14) (LAC 61.I.308.B.14.b.ii). For purposes of §308. B 14.b:

i. Association of Employees

(a). In general, an organization described in R.S. 47:608(14) must be composed of individuals who are entitled to participate in the association by reason of their status as employees who are members of a common working unit. The members of a common working unit include, for example, the employees of a single employer, one industry, or the members of one labor union. Although membership in such an association need not be offered to all the employees of a common working unit, membership must be offered to all of the employees of one or more classes of the common working unit and such class or classes must be selected on the basis of criteria which do not limit membership to shareholders, highly compensated employees, or other like individuals. The criteria for defining a class may be restricted by conditions reasonably related to employment, such as a limitation based on a reasonable minimum period of service, a limitation based on a maximum compensation, or a requirement that a member be employed on a full-time basis. The criteria for defining a class may also be restricted by conditions relating to the type and amount of benefits offered, such as a requirement that members need a reasonable minimum health standard in order to be eligible for life, sick, or accident benefits, or a requirement which excludes, or has the effect of excluding, employees who are members of another organization offering similar benefits to the extent such employees are eligible for such benefits. Whether a group of employees constitutes an acceptable class is a question to be determined with regard to all the facts and circumstances, taking into account the guidelines set forth in this Clause. Furthermore, exemption will not be barred merely because the membership of the association includes some individuals who are not employees (within the meaning of §308. B 14.b.i.(b) or who are not members of the common working unit, provided that these individuals constitute no more than 10 percent of the total membership of the association.

(b). Meaning of Employee

(i). The term employee has reference to the legal and bona fide relationship of employer and employee.

(ii). The term employee also includes:

[a]. an individual who would otherwise qualify for membership under §308. B 14.b.i.(b).(i), but for the fact that he is retired or on leave of absence;

[b]. an individual who would otherwise qualify under §308. B 14.b.i.(b).(i), but subsequent to the time he qualifies for membership he becomes temporarily unemployed. The term temporary unemployment means involuntary or seasonal unemployment, which can reasonably be expected to be of limited duration. An individual will still qualify as an employee under §308. B 14.b.i.(b).(i), during a period of temporary unemployment, he performs services as an independent contractor or for another employer; or

[c]. an individual who qualifies as an employee under the state or federal unemployment compensation law covering his employment, whether or not such an individual could qualify as an employee under the usual common law rules applicable in determining the employer-employee relationship.

ii. Explanation of Voluntary Association. An association is not a voluntary association if the employer unilaterally imposes membership in the association on the employee as a condition of his employment and the employee incurs a detriment (for example, in the form of deductions from his pay) because of his membership in the association. An employer will not be deemed to have unilaterally imposed membership on the employee if such employer requires membership as the result of a collective bargaining agreement which validly requires membership in the association.

iii. Life, Sick, Accident, or Other Benefits

(a). In general, a voluntary employee's beneficiary association must provide solely (and not merely primarily) for the payment of life, sick, accident, or other benefits to its members or their dependents. Such benefits may take the form of cash or non-cash benefits.

(i). Life Benefits. The term life benefits includes life insurance benefits, or similar benefits payable on the death of the member, made available to members for current protection only. Thus, term life insurance is an acceptable benefit. However, life insurance protection made available under an endowment insurance plan or a plan providing cash surrender values to the member is not included. Life benefits may be payable to any designated beneficiary of a member.

(ii). Sick and Accident Benefits. A sick and accident benefit is, in general, an amount furnished in the event of illness or personal injury to or on behalf of members or their dependents. For example, a sick and accident benefit includes an amount provided under a plan to reimburse a member for amounts he expends because of illness or injury, or for premiums which he pays to a medical benefit program such as Medicare. Sick and accident benefits may also be furnished in noncash form, such as benefits in the nature of clinical care, services by visiting nurses, and transportation furnished for medical care.

(iii). Other Benefits. The term other benefits includes only benefits furnished to members or their dependents which are similar to life, sick and accident benefits. A benefit is similar to a life, sick or accident benefit if it is intended to safeguard or improve the health of the employee or to protect against a contingency which interrupts earning power. Thus, paying vacation benefits, subsidizing recreational activities such as athletic leagues, and providing vacation facilities are considered other benefits since such benefits protect against physical or mental fatigue and accidents or illness which may result therefrom. Severance payments or supplemental unemployment compensation benefits paid because of a reduction in force or temporary layoff are other benefits since they protect the employee in the event of interruption of earning power. However, severance payments at a time of mandatory or voluntary retirement and benefits of the type provided by pension, annuity, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plans are not other benefits since their purpose is not to protect in the event of an interruption of earning power. Furthermore, the term other benefits does not include the furnishing of automobile or fire insurance or the furnishing of scholarships to the members' dependents.

iv. Inurement to the Benefit of Any Private Shareholder or Individual. No part of the net earnings of the organization may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual other than through the payment of benefits described in §308. B 14.b.iii. The disposition of property to, or the performance of services for, any person for less than its cost (including the indirect costs) to the association, other than for the purpose of providing such a benefit, will constitute inurement. Further, the payment to any member of disproportionate benefits will not be considered a benefit within the meaning of §308. B 14.b.iii even though the benefit is of the type described in §308. B 14.b.iii. For example, the payment to highly compensated personnel of benefits which are disproportionate in relation to benefits received by other members of the association will constitute inurement. However, the payment to similarly situated employees of benefits which differ in kind or amount will not constitute inurement if such benefits are paid pursuant to objective and reasonable standards. For example, two employees who are similarly situated while employed receive unemployment benefits which differ in kind and amount. These unemployment benefits will not constitute inurement if the reason for the larger payment to the one employee is to provide training for that employee to qualify for reemployment and the other employee has already received such training. Furthermore, the rebate of excess insurance premiums based on experience to the payor of the premium, or a distribution to member-employees upon the dissolution of the association, will not constitute inurement. However, the return of contributions to an employer upon the dissolution of the association will constitute inurement.

v. Meaning of the Term Income. The requirement of R.S. 47:608(14) that 85 percent of the income of a voluntary employees' beneficiary association consist of amounts collected from members and amounts contributed by the employer for the sole purpose of making payment of the benefits described in §308. B 14.b.iii (including meeting the expenses of the association) assures that not more than a limited amount (15 percent) of an association's income is from sources such as investments, selling goods, and performing services, which are foreign to what must be the principal source of the association's income, i.e., the employees. Therefore, the term income as used in R.S. 47:608(14) means the gross receipts of the organization for the taxable year, including income from tax-exempt investments (but exclusive of gifts and donations) and computed without regard to losses and expenses paid or incurred for the taxable year. The term income does not include the return to the association of an amount previously expended. Thus, for example, rebates of insurance premiums paid in excess of actual insurance costs do not constitute income for this purpose. In order to be an amount collected from a member, it must be collected as a payment, such as dues, qualifying the member to receive an allowable benefit, or as a payment for an allowable benefit actually received. For example, if the association furnishes medical care in a hospital operated by it for its members, an amount received from the member as payment of a portion of the hospital costs is an amount collected from such a member. However, an amount paid by an employee as interest on a loan made by the association is not an amount collected from a member since the interest is not an amount collected as payment for an allowable benefit received. For the same reason, gross receipts collected by the association as a result of employee purchases of work clothing from an association-owned store, or employee purchases of food from an association-owned vending machine, are not amounts collected from members. Amounts collected from members or amounts contributed to the association by the employer of the members are not considered gifts or donations.

vi. Record-Keeping Requirements

(a). In addition to such other records which may be required, every organization described in R.S. 47:608(14) must maintain records indicating the amount of benefits paid by such organization to each member. If the organization is financed, in whole or in part, by amounts collected from members, the organization must maintain records indicating the amount of each member's contribution.

(b). A supplemental unemployment compensation benefit plan may also qualify for exemption under the provisions of R.S. 47:608(14).

15. Teachers' Retirement Fund Associations. Teachers' retirement fund associations are exempt from the corporation franchise tax only if:

a. they are of a purely local character whose activities are confined to a particular community, place, or district, irrespective of political subdivisions, but if the activities are limited only by the borders of a state, it cannot be considered to be purely local in character;

b. its income consists solely of amounts received from public taxation, assessments upon the teaching salaries of members, and income from investments; and

c. no part of its net earnings inures (other than through the payment of retirement benefits) to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

La. Admin. Code tit. 61, § I-308

Promulgated by the Department of Revenue and Taxation, Income and Corporation Franchise Taxes Section, Office of Group III, LR 6:25 (January 1980), amended LR 11:108 (February, 1985), repromulgated by the Department of Revenue, Policy Services Division, LR 30:459 (March 2004).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 47:608.