Purpose


Rule 12A-1.094, F.A.C. (Public Works Contracts), and Section 212.08(6), F.S., govern the taxability of transactions in which contractors and subcontractors purchase tangible personal property for use in public works contracts. Public works contracts are projects for public use or enjoyment, financed and owned by the government, in which private persons install tangible personal property that becomes a part of a public facility. The exemption in Section 212.08(6), F.S., is a general exemption for sales made directly to the government. Rule 12A-1.094, F.A.C., establishes the criteria that govern whether a governmental entity, rather than the public works contractor, is the purchaser of the materials. Effective January 2, 2011, Section 8, Chapter 2010-138, L.O.F., requires governmental entities to issue a Certificate of Entitlement to purchase tangible personal property tax-exempt for a public works project to each vendor and each contractor certifying: (1) that the tangible personal property purchased will become part of a public facility; and (2) that the governmental entity will be liable for any tax, penalty, or interest due should the Department later determine that the items purchased do not qualify for exemption under Section 212.08(6), F.S. The law excludes a federal governmental entity from these requirements. The purpose of the proposed amendments to Rule 12A-1.094, F.A.C., is to: (1) maintain, without change, the current criteria governing whether a governmental entity is the purchaser of tangible personal property that qualifies for exemption under Section 212.08(6), F.S.; (2) provide the requirements and format of the Certificate of Entitlement required by Section 8, Chapter 2010-138, L.O.F., effective January 2, 2011; and (3) provide that the governmental entity is prohibited from transferring the liability for tax, penalty, and interest to another party by contract or agreement. When in effect, the rule will provide for the taxability of transactions in which contractors and subcontractors purchase tangible personal property for use in public works contracts.