12B-5.130. Refunds

(1) FUEL USED FOR AGRICULTURAL, AQUACULTURAL, COMMERCIAL FISHING, AND COMMERCIAL AVIATION PURPOSES.

(a)1. Any person who purchases motor fuel used in any tractor, vehicle, or other equipment that is used exclusively on a farm for planting, cultivating, harvesting, or processing farm products for sale, may obtain a refund of local option, state comprehensive enhanced transportation system, and fuel sales taxes paid under Sections 206.41(1)(e), (f) and (g), F.S. This provision includes motor vehicles licensed as a “goat,” as provided in Section 320.08(3)(d), F.S.

2. Persons using motor fuel in the operation of boats, vessels, or equipment used exclusively for the taking of fish, crayfish, oysters, shrimp, and sponges from the salt or fresh waters of Florida for sale are entitled to a refund of municipal fuel tax and local option, state comprehensive enhanced transportation system, and fuel sales taxes paid under Sections 206.41(1)(c), (e), (f) and (g), F.S.

3. Any person who purchases motor fuel for use in the operation of aviation ground support vehicles or equipment may obtain a refund of local option, state comprehensive enhanced transportation system, and fuel sales taxes paid under Sections 206.41(1)(e), (f) and (g), F.S. Motor fuel used in aviation ground support vehicles or equipment that is driven or operated upon the public highways of this state will not qualify for the refund.

(b) Prior to qualifying for a refund of taxes paid on motor fuel used for agricultural, aquacultural, commercial fishing, and commercial aviation purposes, every person is required to file an Application for Fuel Tax Refund Permit (Form DR-185, incorporated by reference in Rule 12B-5.150, F.A.C.) with the Department and obtain a Fuel Tax Refund Permit.

(c) Persons seeking a refund of taxes paid on motor fuel for agricultural, aquacultural, commercial fishing, and commerical aviation purposes must file an Application for Fuel Tax Refund-Agricultural, Aquacultural, Commercial Fishing, and Commercial Aviation Purposes (Form DR-138, incorporated by reference in Rule 12B-5.150, F.A.C.) with the Department. Form DR-138 must be filed for each calendar quarter no later than the last day of the month immediately following the calendar quarter for which the refund is claimed. The filing date may be extended one additional month when a written explanation that sets forth reasonable cause for delay in filing the refund application is submitted with the application and the prior quarter’s refund application was timely submitted to the Department.

(2) UNDYED DIESEL FUEL USED FOR OFF-ROAD PURPOSES OR OTHER EXEMPT PURPOSES.

(a) When undyed diesel fuel is consumed by a power take-off unit or engine exhaust for the purpose of turning a concrete mixer drum, for compacting solid waste, or for unloading bulk cargo by pumping, and such power take-off unit or engine exhaust is mounted on a motor vehicle that has no separate fuel tank, tax paid on the diesel fuel will be subject to a refund.

1. A refund of tax paid on undyed diesel fuel will be granted on thirty-five percent of the gallons consumed by vehicles that use fuel to turn a concrete mixer drum or for compacting solid waste. Sales tax imposed under Section 212.0501, F.S., plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax, is due on the average cost per gallon that is eligible for a refund of fuel tax paid. The Department will reduce the amount of refund due on fuel tax paid by the amount of sales tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax, due. The net amount of the refund will be granted to the qualified applicant.

2. A refund of tax paid on undyed diesel fuel will be granted based on a percentage of the total gallons consumed by vehicles that use undyed diesel fuel for unloading bulk cargo by pumping. Sales tax imposed under Section 212.0501, F.S., plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax, is due on the average cost per gallon, as computed in Schedule 1B, Form DR-309639, Application for Refund of Tax Paid on Undyed Diesel Used for Off-road or Other Exempt Purposes, that is eligible for a refund of fuel tax paid. The Department will reduce the amount of refund due on the fuel tax paid by the amount of sales tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax, due. The net amount of the refund will be granted to the qualified applicant.

(b) A refund of fuel tax on undyed diesel fuel will be granted when the fuel is used in off-road stationary equipment or in self-propelled off-road equipment. A refund will not be granted when the fuel is used to operate equipment on the highways. Sales tax imposed under Section 212.0501, F.S., plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax, is due on the average cost per gallon of fuel that is eligible for a refund of fuel taxes paid. The Department will reduce the amount of refund due on fuel tax paid by the amount of sales tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax, due. The net amount of the refund will be granted to the qualified applicant.

(c) A refund of fuel tax paid on undyed diesel fuel will be granted when the fuel is used to operate a refrigeration unit or other equipment located on a commercial motor vehicle and the fuel is placed into a separate tank that is not connected to the fuel supply system of the commercial motor vehicle. Undyed diesel fuel used to operate a refrigeration unit or other equipment on a commercial motor vehicle operated by a licensed common carrier for use in interstate or foreign commerce is subject to sales tax based on the partial exemption provided in Section 212.08(9)(b), F.S., and discretionary sales surtax as provided in Section 212.054(2)(b)4., F.S. Sales tax and surtax due is calculated based on the carrier’s mileage apportionment factor. The Department will reduce the amount of refund due on fuel tax paid by the amount of sales tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax, due. The net amount of the refund will be granted to the qualified applicant. See Rules 12A-1.064 and 12A-15.013, F.A.C.

(d)1. Persons seeking a refund of tax paid on undyed diesel for off-road or other exempt purposes must file an Application for Refund of Tax Paid on Undyed Diesel Used for Off-road or Other Exempt Purposes (Form DR-309639, incorporated by reference in Rule 12B-5.150, F.A.C.) with the Department.

2. The Department will reduce the amount of fuel tax refund due by the amount of sales tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax, due. The net amount of the refund will be granted to the qualified applicant.

(e) An invoice or delivery ticket issued by the seller at the time each motor vehicle is refueled must provide accurate information as to the date, the number of gallons placed in the fuel tanks of the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle number or tag number in the event the motor vehicle is not numbered, and the seller’s license or registration number. Documentation to provide information regarding fuel consumption is required to be maintained by the purchaser until tax imposed under Chapter 206, F.S., may no longer be determined and assessed under Section 95.091, F.S.

(3) DIESEL FUEL USED IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE.

(a) Diesel fuel used in commercial vehicles regularly engaged in interstate commerce is fully taxable at the time of purchase in this state.

(b)1. Commercial vehicles having a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 26,000 pounds or more, and commercial vehicles having three or more axles (regardless of weight) are required to register with, file Fuel Tax Returns with, and pay tax to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

2. Florida domiciled carriers who file returns with DHSMV must seek refunds or credits allowable under Section 207.005, F.S., from that agency.

(4) DIESEL FUEL SOLD FOR USE IN VESSELS.

(a) Dyed Diesel Fuel

1. The sale of dyed diesel fuel for use in any vessel not engaged in interstate or foreign commerce is subject to sales tax and discretionary sales surtax, and the selling dealer is required to collect the applicable sales tax and surtax. See Rule 12A-1.059, F.A.C.

2. The sale of dyed diesel fuel for use in a vessel used to transport persons or property for hire in interstate or foreign commerce is subject to the sales tax partial exemption provided in Section 212.08(4)(a)2., F.S., and subject to discretionary sales surtax, as provided in Section 212.054(2)(b)4., F.S. Dealers who sell dyed diesel fuel for use in such vessels are required to collect the applicable sales tax and surtax due or to obtain a certificate, as provided in Rule 12A-1.0641, F.A.C., from a qualifying purchaser stating that the fuel will be used in a vessel operated by a licensed carrier in interstate or foreign commerce.

3. The sale of dyed diesel fuel that is placed into the storage supply tank of a vessel or equipment used exclusively for commercial fishing and for aquacultural purposes listed in Section 206.41(4)(c)3., F.S., is exempt from sales tax.

(b) Undyed diesel fuel sold to a purchaser for use on a noncommercial vessel is subject to the fuel taxes imposed under Section 206.87(1), F.S. The purchaser may obtain a refund of diesel fuel tax paid as follows:

1. The purchaser must purchase 2,500 gallons or more of diesel fuel for use in a noncommercial vessel per calendar year. No refund will be allowed on purchases of less than 2,500 gallons per calendar year.

2. The purchaser must file an Application for Refund (Form DR-26, incorporated by reference in Rule 12-26.008, F.A.C.), prior to April 1 of the year subsequent to each calendar year in which the diesel fuel tax was paid. The purchaser is entitled to file only one application per calendar year.

3. The purchaser is required to submit original invoices showing the amount of taxes paid with the application. Form DR-26 must meet the requirements of Sections 213.255(2) and (3), F.S. and Rule 12-26.003, F.A.C.

4. The purchaser is required to pay the sales tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax. The Department will reduce the amount of refund due on tax-paid diesel fuel used for exempt purposes by the amount of sales tax and discretionary sales surtax due.

(c) Undyed diesel fuel sold to a purchaser for use in a commerical fishing vessel or a vessel engaged in the business of commercial transportation of persons or property is subject to the fuel taxes imposed under Section 206.87(1), F.S. The purchaser may obtain a refund of diesel fuel tax paid as follows:

1. The purchaser must file an Application for Refund of Tax Paid (Form DR-26) with the Department within three years after the right to refund has accrued.

2. The purchaser is required to submit original invoices or copies of invoices showing the amount of fuel taxes paid with the application. Form DR-26 must meet the requirements of Sections 213.255(2) and (3), F.S. and Rule 12-26.003, F.A.C.

3. The purchaser is required to pay the sales tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax. The Department will reduce the amount of refund due on tax-paid diesel fuel used for commercial fishing purposes or for use by a vessel engaged in the business of commercial transportation of persons or property by the amount of sales tax and discretionary sales surtax due.

(5) UNDYED DIESEL FUEL CONSUMED BY CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES.

(a) Undyed diesel fuel sold in this state that is consumed by the engine of a qualified motor coach, as defined in Section 206.8745(8), F.S., during idle time for the purpose of running climate control systems and maintaining electrical systems is subject to a refund of fuel tax paid.

(b) The purchaser of fuel used for such purpose may obtain a refund of diesel fuel tax paid as follows:

1. The purchaser must file an Application for Refund of Tax Paid on Undyed Diesel Consumed by Motor Coaches During Idle Time in Florida (Form DR-309640, incorporated by reference in Rule 12B-5.150, F.A.C.), prior to April 1 of the year subsequent to each calendar year in which the diesel fuel tax was paid. The purchaser is entitled to file only one application per calendar year.

2. The purchaser is required to submit with the application originals or copies of invoices showing the amount of taxes paid. In lieu of invoices or copies of invoices, the purchaser may submit the Schedule of Fuel Consumed During Idle Time in Florida (Part III of Form DR-309640) and the Schedule of Undyed Diesel Fuel Purchased in Florida for Use in a Motor Coach (Part IV of Form DR-309640).

3. The purchaser is required to pay sales tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax. The Department will reduce the amount of fuel tax refund by the amount of sales tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax, due.

Rulemaking Authority 206.14(1), 206.59(1), 213.06(1) FS. Law Implemented 206.41(4), (5), 206.43(5), (6), 206.64, 206.8745, 206.97, 212.08(4), 213.255(2), (3), 215.26 FS. History–New 7-1-96, Amended 11-21-96, 10-27-98, 5-1-06, 1-27-09, 6-1-09, 7-20-11, 1-25-12, 1-17-13, 1-20-14.