Washington § 48.14.080 - Premium tax in lieu of other forms — Exceptions — Definition.

(1) As to insurers, other than title insurers and taxpayers under RCW 48.14.0201, the taxes imposed by this title are in lieu of all other taxes, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply with respect to:

(a) Taxes on real and tangible personal property;

(b) Excise taxes on the sale, purchase, use, or possession of (i) real property; (ii) tangible personal property; (iii) extended warranties; (iv) services, including digital automated services as defined in RCW 82.04.192; and (v) digital goods and digital codes as those terms are defined in RCW 82.04.192; and

(c) The tax imposed in *RCW 82.04.260(9), regarding public and nonprofit hospitals.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the term "taxes" includes taxes imposed by the state or any county, city, town, municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or other political subdivision.

*Reviser's note: RCW 82.04.260 was amended by 2011 c 2 s 203 (Initiative Measure No. 1107), changing subsection (9) to subsection (10).

Effective date—2010 1st sp.s. c 23: See note following RCW 82.32.655.

Findings—Intent—2010 1st sp.s. c 23: See notes following RCW 82.04.220.

Intent—Construction—2009 c 535: See notes following RCW 82.04.192.

Findings—Intent—2006 c 278: "The legislature finds that the insurance premiums tax is intended to be in lieu of any other tax imposed on insurers. However, insurers are not exempt from taxes on real and tangible personal property, or excise taxes on the sale, purchase, or use of such property. These provisions, enacted in 1949, have not been reviewed or altered in light of significant expansion of sales and use taxes to include taxation of many service activities. Some insurers have interpreted their obligation to pay retail sales and use taxes to be limited to those taxes imposed on the sale or use of tangible personal property. These insurers claim exemption from retail sales tax, use tax, or any other excise tax on the purchase or sale of services, such as telephone service, credit bureau services, construction services, landscape services, and repair services. Other insurers have consistently paid excise taxes imposed on these services.

The legislature further finds exempting insurers from excise taxes on the purchase or sale of services is inequitable and results from the inadvertent failure to revise insurance premiums tax statutes to be consistent with other excise tax statutes. The legislature declares its intent to require insurers to pay retail sales and use taxes on purchases of both tangible personal property or services, on the same terms as other taxpayers. This act is intended to apply both prospectively and retrospectively." [ 2006 c 278 s 1.]

Application—2006 c 278: "This act applies both prospectively and retroactively." [ 2006 c 278 s 3.]

Effective date—2006 c 278: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 28, 2006]." [ 2006 c 278 s 4.]

Effective date—Savings—1998 c 312: See notes following RCW 82.04.332.

Severability—Effective dates—Part headings, captions not law—1993 sp.s. c 25: See notes following RCW 82.04.230.

Findings—Intent—1993 c 492: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.

Short title—Savings—Reservation of legislative power—Effective dates—1993 c 492: See RCW 43.72.910 through 43.72.915.