MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Warren

House Bill 573

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-65-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE GLIDER KITS WITHIN THE MEANING OF "TRUCK-TRACTORS" FOR PURPOSES OF THE STATE SALES TAX LAW; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 27-65-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-65-17. (1) Upon every person engaging or continuing within this state in the business of selling any tangible personal property whatsoever there is hereby levied, assessed and shall be collected a tax equal to seven percent (7%) of the gross proceeds of the retail sales of the business, except as otherwise provided herein.

Retail sales of farm tractors shall be taxed at the rate of one percent (1%) when made to farmers for agricultural purposes. Retail sales of other self-propelled farm implements, or farm implements used as attachments to or drawn by a tractor, or implements which are drawn by animals, when made to farmers for agricultural purposes shall be taxed at the rate of three percent (3%). The three percent (3%) rate shall also apply to retail sales of brooders, feeders and waterers to chicken farmers for use in chicken houses to produce poultry for the market, sales of mechanical and gravity feeders and waterers to livestock producers, sales of mechanical milking machines, milk tanks and coolers used in the production of milk for sale and sales of aerators to domestic fish farmers for use in the raising of domesticated fish as defined in Section 69-7-501. The three percent (3%) rate shall also apply to all equipment used in logging, pulpwood operations or tree farming which is either (a) self-propelled or which is (b) mounted so that it is (i) permanently attached to other equipment which is self-propelled or (ii) permanently attached to other equipment drawn by a vehicle which is self-propelled.

Retail sales of aircraft, automobiles, trucks, truck-tractors (including glider kits, whether or not a glider kit is assembled or unassembled when brought into this state), semitrailers and mobile homes shall be taxed at the rate of three percent (3%).

Sales of manufacturing machinery or manufacturing machine parts when made to a manufacturer or custom processor for plant use only when said machinery and machine parts will be used exclusively and directly within this state in manufacturing a commodity for sale, rental or in processing for a fee shall be taxed at the rate of one and one-half percent (1-1/2%).

Sales of materials for use in track and track structures to a railroad whose rates are fixed by the Interstate Commerce Commission or the Mississippi Public Service Commission shall be taxed at the rate of three percent (3%).

Sales of tangible personal property to electric power associations for use in the ordinary and necessary operation of their generating or distribution systems shall be taxed at the rate of one percent (1%).

Wholesale sales of beer shall be taxed at the rate of seven percent (7%), and the retailer shall file a return and compute the retail tax on retail sales but may take credit for the amount of the tax paid to the wholesaler on said return covering the subsequent sales of same property, provided adequate invoices and records are maintained to substantiate the credit.

Wholesale sales of food and drink for human consumption to full service vending machine operators to be sold through vending machines located apart from and not connected with other taxable businesses shall be taxed at the rate of eight percent (8%).

A manufacturer selling at retail in this state shall be required to make returns of the gross proceeds of such sales and pay the tax imposed in this section.

Any person exercising any privilege taxable under Section 27-65-15 and selling his natural resource products at wholesale or to exempt persons shall pay the tax levied by said section in lieu of the tax levied by this section.

(2) From and after January 1, 1995, retail sales of private carriers of passengers and light carriers of property, as defined in Section 27-51-101, shall be taxed an additional two percent (2%).

SECTION 2. Nothing in this act shall affect or defeat any claim, assessment, appeal, suit, right or cause of action for taxes due or accrued under the sales tax laws before the date on which this act becomes effective, whether such claims, assessments, appeals, suits or actions have been begun before the date on which this act becomes effective or are begun thereafter; and the provisions of the sales tax laws are expressly continued in full force, effect and operation for the purpose of the assessment, collection and enrollment of liens for any taxes due or accrued and the execution of any warrant under such laws before the date on which this act becomes effective, and for the imposition of any penalties, forfeitures or claims for failure to comply with such laws.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.