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Business Taxes Law Guide—Revision 2024
Sales and Use Tax Annotations
A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W X
I
315.0000 Installing, Repairing, Reconditioning in General—Regulation 1546
Annotation 315.0207
(a) In General
315.0207 Maintenance Contracts. A retailer of computers and software sells maintenance contracts with the following features:
(1) Software updates provided on diskette, including the right to use, i.e., the right to copy software updates into the customer's computer.
(2) Media and manuals on how to install/apply software updates.
(3) Hardware parts replacement, on site support, telephone support and hotline.
The customer has the option of purchasing these feature(s) in the following combinations. Feature 1 (by itself), feature 1 and 2 or feature 1, 2 and 3, or feature 1 and 3 (without feature). If the customer purchases feature 1 it may be used only on one computer. A separate purchase is required to use the software on any other computer. On the other hand only one purchase of feature 2 is required regardless of how many computers are involved. For example, the customer may purchase 100 units of feature 1 and only one unit of feature 2.
If a person enters into a contract which includes features 1, 2 and 3, the charges for features 1 and 2 are subject to tax. Since feature 3 is optional with the customer, a separately stated charge for this feature is not subject to tax. Rather, the use of parts by the repairer fulfilling the contract would be taxable.
The fact that feature 3 cannot be purchased without purchasing feature 1 or feature 1 and 2 does not change its optional nature. The customer may purchase the tangible personal property (features 1 and 2) without purchasing feature 3. 4/18/91.