Summary


Emergency Rule 12BER06-1, F.A.C (Scope; Definitions; Index Price): (1) provides that Emergency Rules 12BER06-1 through 12BER06-4, F.A.C., apply to the tax imposed under Chapter 203, F.S., on utility services delivered to a retail consumer in Florida; (2) defines the terms “cost price,” “distribution company,” “Department,” “electricity index price,” “gas index price,” “gross receipts,” “utility services,” and “person” for purposes of Emergency Rules 12BER06-1 through 12BER06-4, F.A.C.; (3) provides that the gross receipts tax imposed on certain utility services delivered to a retail consumer in Florida is based on an index price; (4) provides how the Department will announce the annual index prices for electricity and for natural and manufactured gas; and (5) provides that the index price applies to electricity only if the transportation of the electricity is sold independent of the sale of the electricity itself. Emergency Rule 12BER06-2, F.A.C. (Imposition of the Gross Receipts Tax), provides: (1) that the 2.5 percent gross receipts tax is imposed on distribution companies’ gross receipts from the privilege of selling and transporting natural or manufactured gas to retail consumers in Florida; (2) how the tax is computed based on the index price; (3) that the sale or transportation of natural or manufactured gas to public or private utilities for use as a fuel in the generation of electricity or for resale is not subject to tax; (4) that the sale or transportation of natural or manufactured gas to persons eligible for an exemption under Section 212.08(7)(ff)2., F.S., for use as an energy source or a raw material is not subject to tax and guidelines on how to document such sales; (5) that the 2.5 percent gross receipts tax is imposed on distribution companies’ gross receipts from the privilege of selling and transporting electricity to retail consumers in Florida and how the tax is to be calculated; (6) that the tax does not apply to receipts from customers for purposes of resale; (7) that receipts from separately itemized charges for the connection, disconnection, suspension, or restoration of utility services are not subject to tax; (8) that receipts from separately itemized fees for returned checks, late payments, and interest due on late payments are not subject to the gross receipts tax; (9) that receipts from separately itemized charges for the sale, lease, rental, repair, or maintenance of customer premises equipment are not subject to gross receipts tax; (10) guidelines on how gross receipts tax is applied to charges for utility services separately itemized to customers as an amount for services based on a standard rate amount with a separate rate adjustment; (11) that each and every fee imposed by a political subdivision of the State of Florida that is passed on to the customer as a separately itemized charge is included in the gross receipts subject to tax; (12) that any municipal public service tax and any sales tax separately itemized to the customer is not included in the gross receipts subject to tax; (13) that the sale or delivery of electricity as part of an electric interchange agreement or contract between utilities is not subject to tax and guidelines on how to document such sale or delivery; (14) that wholesale sales of electric transmission services and the loss of electricity from the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity is not subject to tax; (15) guidelines regarding any separately itemized charge for gross receipts tax on a customer’s bill, invoice, statement, or other evidence of sale; (16) guidelines on the imposition of tax on natural or manufactured gas imported into Florida for which the Florida gross receipts tax has not been paid; (17) guidelines on how to document sales of utility services for purposes of resale; and (18) recordkeeping requirements for taxpayers who sell or deliver utility services. Emergency Rule 12BER06-3, F.A.C. (Registration for Gross Receipts Tax Purposes), provides: (1) that prior to engaging in the business of selling, transporting, delivering, or importing utility services in Florida, every person is required to register with the Department; and (2) guidelines on how to register with the Department. Emergency Rule 12BER06-4, F.A.C. (Payment of Gross Receipts Tax; Reports): (1) provides guidelines on the how to report and remit to the Department the gross receipts tax imposed on utility services; (2) provides guidelines for when taxpayers may elect to pay the gross receipts tax on total billings for electricity each month or on the actual gross receipts for electricity received in that month; and (3) provides that persons engaged in the transportation of natural or manufactured gas must provide the Department with a list of customers to whom transportation services were provided in the prior year or post such a list on a publicly-accessible Internet web site.