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COMMITTEE REPORT
April 17, 2008
H. 4672
S. Printed 4/17/08--H. [SEC 4/21/08 11:45 AM]
Read the first time February 12, 2008.
To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4672) to amend Section 12-36-2120, as amended, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to sales tax exemptions, so as to move forward from, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. A. Section 12-36-2120(67) of the 1976 Code, as amended by Act 116 of 2007, is further amended to read:
"(67)(a) effective July 1, 2011 2008, construction materials used in the construction of a new or expanded single manufacturing or distribution facility, or one that serves both purposes, with a capital investment of at least one hundred fifty million in real and personal property at a single site in the State over an eighteen-month period. The taxpayer must provide notice of the exemption, and the Department of Revenue may assess taxes owing in the manner provided in Section 12-36-2120(51); and
(b) effective July 1, 2008, construction materials used in the construction of a new or expanded office facility meeting the requirements for an enhanced investment provided pursuant to Section 12-44-30(7) and Section 12-44-30(13). The taxpayer shall notify the department of its intent to qualify and use this exemption and, upon receipt of the notification, the department shall issue an appropriate exemption certificate to the taxpayer to be used for qualifying purposes pursuant to this subitem. No later than six months after the end of the eight-year period specified in Section 12-44-30(13), the taxpayer shall notify the department in writing whether or not it has met the investment and job requirements of this item. If the taxpayer fails to meet the investment and job requirements, the taxpayer shall pay to the State the amount of the tax that would have been paid but for this exemption. The running of the period of limitations for assessment of taxes provided in Section 12-54-85 is suspended for the time period beginning with the taxpayer's first use of this exemption and ending with notice to the department that the taxpayer has or has not met the investment and job requirements of this item."
B. Section 11B of Act 384 of 2006 is amended to read:
"B. Notwithstanding the sales and use rates imposed pursuant to Chapter 36, Title 12 of the 1976 Code, the rate of tax imposed pursuant to that chapter on the gross proceeds of qualifying construction materials used in the construction of a single manufacturing and distribution facility, created by this act, is four percent for sales from July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008, three percent for such sales from July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009, two percent for such sales from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010, and one percent for such sales from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011."
SECTION 2. Section 12-6-3310 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 69 of 2003, is further amended by adding a new subsection at the end to read:
"(C) A limited liability company not organized as a legal entity which is a taxpayer, a corporation, or other form of business entity expressly specified as qualifying for the credits allowed pursuant to this article nevertheless qualifies for such credits in a manner consistent with Section 12-2-25 as follows:
(1) Limited liability companies taxed for South Carolina income tax purposes as partnerships shall apply the credits as provided in subsection (B). If a member is an individual, the limited liability company may earn and pass through any credits allowed by this article to be applied against income tax imposed pursuant to Section 12-6-510. If a member is a corporation, the limited liability company may earn and pass through any credits allowed by this article to be applied against income tax imposed pursuant to Section 12-6-530.
(2) Limited liability companies taxed for South Carolina income tax purposes as corporations are entitled to all credits otherwise applicable to corporations.
(3) With respect to single members of limited liability companies which are not regarded as a separate entity from its owner, members who are individuals may claim any credits allowed by this article to be applied against income tax imposed pursuant to Section 12-6-510 and members which are corporations may claim any credits allowed by this article to be applied against income tax imposed pursuant to Section 12-6-530.
(4) For limited liability companies owned by limited liability companies or other pass through entities described in subsection (B), subsections (1) through (3) are applied at each successive stage of ownership until the credit is applied against the tax imposed pursuant to either Section 12-6-510 or Section 12-6-530, as applicable.
SECTION 3. A. Section 12-6-3410(D)(2) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(2) The establishment, expansion, or addition of a corporate headquarters or research and development facility must result in:
(a) the creation of at least seventy-five new full-time jobs performing either:
(i)(a) headquarters related functions and services; or
(ii)(b) research and development related functions and services.
The seventy-five required jobs must have an average cash compensation level of more than one and one-half times twice the per capita income of this State based on the most recent per capita income data available as of the end of the taxpayer's taxable year in which the jobs are filled; and
(b) an average South Carolina employee cash compensation level for all employees in this State of more than twice the per capita income in the State based on the most recent per capita income data available as of the end of the taxpayer's taxable year in which the jobs are filled."
B. Section 12-6-3410(J) of the 1976 Code, as amended by Act 384 of 2006, is further amended by deleting item (9) which reads:
"(9) 'corporation', 'corporate', 'company', and 'taxpayer' for purposes of this section also include a limited liability company which is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. Section 791(a)) and which is formed to operate or to take functional control of electric transmission assets as defined in the Federal Power Act regardless of whether the limited liability company is treated as a partnership or as a corporation for South Carolina income tax purposes. If treated as a partnership, a limited liability company that qualifies for a credit under this section passes the credit through to its members in proportion to their interests in the limited liability company. Each member's share of the credit is nonrefundable but is allowed as a credit against any tax under Section 12-6-530 or Section 12-20-50 and bank taxes imposed pursuant to Chapter 11 of this title. Each member may carry any unused credit forward as provided in subsection (F). The limited liability company may not carry forward a credit that passes through to its members."
SECTION 4. Section 12-6-3520 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 89 of 2001, is further amended by deleting subsection (E) which reads:
"(E)(1) An 'S' corporation, limited liability company, or partnership that qualifies for the credit pursuant to this section may pass through the credit earned to each shareholder of the 'S' corporation, member of the limited liability company, or partner of the partnership.
(2) The amount of the credit allowed a shareholder, member, or partner pursuant to this section is equal to the shareholder's percentage of stock ownership, the member's interest in the limited liability company, or the partner's interest in the partnership for the taxable year, multiplied by the amount of the credit earned by the entity. Credit earned by an 'S' corporation owing corporate level income tax must be used first at the entity level. Only the remaining credit passes through to the shareholders of the 'S' corporation.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, 'limited liability company' means a limited liability company taxed like a partnership."
SECTION 5. Section 12-10-30 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 89 of 2001, is further amended by adding a new item at the end to read:
"(18) 'Significant business' means a qualifying business making a significant capital investment as defined in Section 12-44-30(7)."
SECTION 6. Section 12-10-80(D)(2), as last amended by Act 386 of 2006, is further amended to read:
"(2) The amount that may be claimed as a job development credit by a qualifying business is limited by this subsection and by the revitalization agreement. The council may approve a waiver of ninety-five percent of the limits provided in item (1) for a qualifying business making a significant capital investment as defined in Section 12-44-30(7).:
(a) a significant business; and
(b) a related person to a significant business if the related person is located at the project site of the significant business and qualifies for job development credits pursuant to this chapter.
For purposes of this item, a related person includes any entity or person that bears a relationship to a significant business as provided in Internal Revenue Code Section 267 and includes, without limitation, a limited liability company of which more than fifty percent of the capital interest or profits is owned directly or indirectly by a significant business or by a person or entity, or group of persons or entities which owns, more than fifty percent of the capital interest or profits in the significant business."
SECTION 7. Section 12-44-30(7) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 116 of 2007, is further amended by adding a new paragraph at the end to read:
"For purposes of this item, if a single sponsor enters into a financing arrangement of the type described in Section 12-44-120(B), the investment in or financing of the property by a developer, lessor, financing entity, or other third party in accordance with this arrangement is considered investment by the sponsor. Investment by a related person to the sponsor, as described in Section 12-10-80(D)(2), is considered investment by the sponsor."
SECTION 8. Section 4-29-67(D)(4)(a) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 116 of 2007, is further amended by adding a new paragraph at the end to read:
"For purposes of this item, if a single sponsor enters into a financing arrangement of the type described in Section 4-29-67(O)(2), the investment in or financing of the property by a developer, lessor, financing entity, or other third party in accordance with this arrangement is considered investment by the sponsor. Investment by a related person to the sponsor, as described in Section 12-10-80(D)(2), is considered investment by the sponsor."
SECTION 9. Section 4-12-30(D)(4)(a) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 116 of 2007, is further amended by adding a new paragraph at the end to read:
"For purposes of this item, if a single sponsor enters into a financing arrangement of the type described in Section 4-12-30(M)(2), the investment in or financing of the property by a developer, lessor, financing entity, or other third party in accordance with this arrangement is considered investment by the sponsor. Investment by a related person to the sponsor, as described in Section 12-10-80(D)(2), is considered investment by the sponsor."
SECTION 10. A.1. Section 12-10-80(C)(3)(f) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 384 of 2006, is further amended to read:
"(f) employee relocation expenses associated with new or expanded qualifying service-related facilities as defined in Section 12-6-3360(M)(13) or new or expanded technology intensive facilities as defined in Section 12-6-3360(M)(14) or relocation expenses associated with new national, regional, or global corporate headquarters as defined in Section 12-6-3410(J)(1)(a) that qualify for the enhanced corporate income tax credit pursuant to Section 12-6-3410(D) or relocation expenses associated with an expanded research and development facility to include personnel and laboratory research and development equipment;"
2. Section 12-10-80 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 384 of 2006, is amended by adding an appropriately lettered subsection at the end to read:
"( ) Where the qualifying business that creates new jobs under this section is a qualifying service-related facility as defined in Section 12-6-3360(M)(13), the determination of the number of jobs created must be based on the total number of new jobs created within five years of the effective date of the revitalization agreement, without regard to monthly or other averaging."
B. Section 12-20-105(B)-(D) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 116 of 2007, is further amended to read:
"(B)(1) To be considered an eligible project for purposes of this section, the project must qualify for income tax credits under Chapter 6, Title 12, withholding tax credit under Chapter 10, Title 12, income tax credits under Chapter 14, Title 12, or fees in lieu of property taxes under either Chapter 12, Title 4, Chapter 29, Title 4, or Chapter 44, Title 12.
(2) If a project consists of an office, business, commercial, or industrial park, or combination of these, used exclusively for economic development which is owned or constructed by a county or political subdivision of this State when the qualifying improvements are paid for, the project does not have to meet the qualifications of item (1) to be considered an eligible project. As provided in subsection (C)(4), the county or political subdivision may sell all or a portion of the business or industrial park.
(C) For the purpose of this section, 'infrastructure' means improvements for water, wastewater, hydrogen fuel, sewer, gas, steam, electric energy, and communication services made to a building or land that are considered necessary, suitable, or useful to an eligible project. These improvements include, but are not limited to:
(1) improvements to both public or private water and sewer systems;
(2) improvements to both public or private electric, natural gas, and telecommunications systems including, but not limited to, ones owned or leased by an electric cooperative, electric utility, or electric supplier, as defined in Chapter 27, Title 58;
(3) fixed transportation facilities including highway, road, rail, water, and air;
(4) for a qualifying project under subsection (B)(2), infrastructure improvements include industrial shell buildings and the purchase of land for an office, business, commercial, or industrial park, or combination of these, used exclusively for economic development which is owned or constructed by a county or political subdivision of this State. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the The county or political subdivision from selling may sell the industrial shell building or industrial all or a portion of the park at any time after the company has paid in cash to provide the infrastructure for an eligible project.; and
(5) for a qualifying project pursuant to subsection (B)(2), infrastructure improvements also include due diligence expenditures relating to environmental conditions made by a county or political subdivision after it has acquired contractual rights to an industrial park. Due diligence expenditures include such items as Phase I and II studies and environmental or archeological studies required by state or federal statutes or guidelines or similar lender requirements. Contractual rights include options to purchase real property or other similar contractual rights acquired before the county or political subdivision files a deed to the property with the Register of Mense Conveyances.
(D) A company is not allowed the credit provided by this section for actual expenses it incurs in the construction and operation of any building or infrastructure it owns, leases, manages, or operates.
(E) The maximum aggregate credit that may be claimed in any tax year by a single company is three five hundred thousand dollars."
C. Section 12-44-30(16) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 69 of 2003, is further amended to read:
"(16) 'Project' means land, buildings, and other improvements on the land, including water, sewage treatment and disposal facilities, air pollution control facilities, and all other machinery, apparatus, equipment, office facilities, and furnishings which are considered necessary, suitable, or useful by a sponsor. 'Project' also may consist of or include aircraft hangered or utilizing an airport in a county so long as the county expressly consents to its inclusion. Aircraft previously subject to taxation in South Carolina qualify pursuant to this provision."
D. Section 12-44-120(D) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 69 of 2003, is further amended to read:
"(D) A sponsor may transfer a fee agreement, or substantially all the economic development property to which the fee agreement relates, if it obtains the prior approval, or subsequent ratification, of the county with which it entered into the fee agreement. The county's prior approval or subsequent ratification may be evidenced by any one of the following, in the absolute and sole discretion of the county providing the approval or ratification: (i) a letter or other writing executed by an authorized county representative as designated in the respective fee agreement; (ii) a resolution passed by the county council; or (iii) an ordinance passed by the county council following three readings and a public hearing. That approval is not required in connection with transfers to sponsor affiliates or other financing-related transfers."
E. Section 4-12-10(2) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 69 of 2003, is further amended to read:
"(2) 'Project' means land, buildings and other improvements on the land including water, sewage treatment and disposal facilities, air pollution control facilities, and all other machinery, apparatus, equipment, office facilities, and furnishings which are considered necessary, suitable, or useful by a sponsor. 'Project' also may consist of or include aircraft hangered or utilizing an airport in a county so long as the county expressly consents to its inclusion. Aircraft previously subject to taxation in South Carolina qualify pursuant to this provision."
F. Section 4-12-30(M)(4) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 69 of 2003, is further amended to read:
"(4) A sponsor may transfer an inducement agreement, millage rate agreement, lease agreement, or the assets subject to the lease agreement, if it obtains the prior approval, or subsequent ratification, of the county with whom it entered into the original inducement agreement, millage rate agreement, or lease agreement. The county's prior approval or subsequent ratification may be evidenced by any one of the following, in the absolute and sole discretion of the county providing the approval or ratification: (i) a letter or other writing executed by an authorized county representative as designated in the respective inducement, millage rate, or lease agreement; (ii) a resolution passed by the county council; or (iii) an ordinance passed by the county council following three readings and a public hearing. However, no such That approval is not required in connection with transfers to sponsor affiliates or other financing-related transfers."
G. Section 4-29-67(A)(1)(c) and (O)(4) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 69 of 2003, is further amended to read:
"(c) 'Project' means land, buildings and other improvements on the land including water, sewage treatment and disposal facilities, air pollution control facilities, and all other machinery apparatus, equipment, office facilities, and furnishings which are considered necessary, suitable, or useful by a sponsor. 'Project' also may consist of or include aircraft hangered or utilizing an airport in a county so long as the county expressly consents to its inclusion. Aircraft previously subject to taxation in South Carolina qualify pursuant to this provision.
(4) A sponsor may transfer an inducement agreement, millage rate agreement, lease agreement, or the assets subject to the lease agreement, if it obtains the prior approval, or subsequent ratification, of the county with which it entered into the original agreement. The county's prior approval or subsequent ratification may be evidenced by any one of the following, in the absolute and sole discretion of the county providing the approval or ratification: (i) a letter or other writing executed by an authorized county representative as designated in the respective inducement, millage rate, or lease agreement; (ii) a resolution passed by the county council; or (iii) an ordinance passed by the county council following three readings and a public hearing. That approval is not required in connection with transfers to sponsor affiliates or other financing-related transfers."
H. This section takes effect upon approval of this act by the Governor and applies for property tax years beginning after 2007.
SECTION 11. Section 12-43-220(a) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(a)(1) All real and personal property owned by or leased to manufacturers and utilities and used by the manufacturer or utility in the conduct of the business must be taxed on an assessment equal to ten and one-half percent of the fair market value of the property.
(2) Real property owned by or leased to a manufacturer and used primarily for research and development is not considered used by a manufacturer in the conduct of the business of the manufacturer for purposes of classification of property under pursuant to this item (a) of this section. The term 'research and development' means basic and applied research in the sciences and engineering and the design and development of prototypes and processes.
(3) Real property owned by or leased to a manufacturer and used primarily as an office building is not considered used by a manufacturer in the conduct of the business of the manufacturer for purposes of classification of property under pursuant to this item (a) of this section if the office building is not located on the premises of or contiguous to the plant site of the manufacturer.
(4) Real property owned by or leased to a manufacturer and used primarily for warehousing and wholesale distribution of clothing and wearing apparel is not considered used by a manufacturer in the conduct of the business of the manufacturer for purposes of classification of property under pursuant to this item (a) of this section if the property is not located on the premises of or contiguous to the manufacturing site of the manufacturer."
SECTION 12. If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this act, the General Assembly hereby declaring that it would have passed this act, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.
SECTION 13. Except where otherwise stated, this act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.
DANIEL T. COOPER for Committee.
TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO MOVE FORWARD FROM JULY 1, 2011, TO JULY 1, 2008, THE EXEMPTION ALLOWED FOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OR EXPANSION OF A MANUFACTURING OR DISTRIBUTION FACILITY AND TO REDUCE FROM ONE HUNDRED MILLION TO FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIRED TO RECEIVE THE EXEMPTION; TO AMEND ACT 384 OF 2006, RELATING TO MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE PROVISIONS, SO AS TO CONFORM A PHASE-IN PROVISION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS SALES TAX EXEMPTION AMENDMENT IN THIS ACT; AND TO AMEND SECTION 12-43-220, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY AND APPLICABLE ASSESSMENT RATIOS FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROPERTY TAX, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF MANUFACTURING PROPERTY WITH RESPECT TO WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES OWNED OR LEASED BY A MANUFACTURER.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. A. Section 12-36-2120(67) of the 1976 Code, as amended by Act 116 of 2007, is further amended to read:
"(67) effective July 1, 2011 2008, construction materials used in the construction of a new or expanded single manufacturing or distribution facility, or one that serves both purposes, with a capital investment of at least one hundred fifty million in real and personal property at a single site in the State over an eighteen-month period. The taxpayer must provide notice of the exemption, and the Department of Revenue may assess taxes owing in the manner provided in Section 12-36-2120(51)."
B. Section 11B of Act 384 of 2006 is amended to read:
"B. Notwithstanding the sales and use rates imposed pursuant to Chapter 36, Title 12 of the 1976 Code, the rate of tax imposed pursuant to that chapter on the gross proceeds of qualifying construction materials used in the construction of a single manufacturing and distribution facility, created by this act, is four percent for sales from July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008, three percent for such sales from July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009, two percent for such sales from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010, and one percent for such sales from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011."
SECTION 2. Section 12-43-220(a) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(a)(1) All real and personal property owned by or leased to manufacturers and utilities and used by the manufacturer or utility in the conduct of the business must be taxed on an assessment equal to ten and one-half percent of the fair market value of the property.
(2) Real property owned by or leased to a manufacturer and used primarily for research and development is not considered used by a manufacturer in the conduct of the business of the manufacturer for purposes of classification of property under pursuant to this item (a) of this section. The term 'research and development' means basic and applied research in the sciences and engineering and the design and development of prototypes and processes.
(3) Real property owned by or leased to a manufacturer and used primarily as an office building is not considered used by a manufacturer in the conduct of the business of the manufacturer for purposes of classification of property under pursuant to this item (a) of this section if the office building is not located on the premises of or contiguous to the plant site of the manufacturer.
(4) Real property owned by or leased to a manufacturer and used primarily for warehousing and wholesale distribution of clothing and wearing apparel is not considered used by a manufacturer in the conduct of the business of the manufacturer for purposes of classification of property under pursuant to this item (a) of this section if the property is not located on the premises of or contiguous to the manufacturing site of the manufacturer."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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