Title 26

SECTION 48.4041-17

48.4041-17 Tax-free retail sales to certain nonprofit educational organizations.

§ 48.4041-17 Tax-free retail sales to certain nonprofit educational organizations.

(a) In general. The taxes imposed by section 4041 do not apply in the case of a sale of any liquid by any person to a nonprofit educational organization (as defined in paragraph (b) of this section) for its exclusive use, or in the case of the use of any liquid by such an organization. In the case of a school operated as an activity of an organization described in section 501(c)(3), as referred to in paragraph (b) of this section, the liquid must be sold for the exclusive use of the school, or the liquid must be used exclusively by the school.

(b) Definition of nonprofit educational organization. For purposes of section 4041(g)(4) and this section, the term “nonprofit educational organization” means an organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii), that is exempt from income tax under section 501(a), whose primary function is the presentation of formal instruction and which normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of pupils or students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are regularly carried on. The term also includes a school operated as an activity of an organization described in section 501(c)(3) which is exempt from income tax under section 501 (a), provided such school normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of pupils or students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are regularly carried on.

(c) Evidence required to establish tax-free sales to a nonprofit educational organization; general rule. To establish the right to exemption, the retailer must obtain from the purchaser and retain in its possesson a properly executed certificate as set forth in paragraph (d) of this section.

(d) Forms of exemption certificates. The following forms of exemption certificates will be acceptable for the purpose of this section and must be adhered to in substance.

(1) Form of certificate for exemption from retailers excise taxes for use by a nonprofit educational organization, other than a school operated as an activity of a church or other exempt organization that in itself is not a nonprofit educational organization.

Exemption Certificate

(For use by a nonprofit educational organization (other than a school operated as an activity of a church or other exempt organization that in itself is not a nonprofit educational organization) purchasing articles subject to retailers excise tax for its exclusive use) _________, 19__ (Date) I hereby certify that I am _____ (Title) of _____ (Exempt organization); that I am authorized to execute this certificate; and that the articles specified in the accompanying order or on the reverse side hereof are purchased by such organization exclusively for use in its educational activities.

I understand that this exemption certificate is for use only by a nonprofit educational organization in the tax-free purchase for its exclusive use of articles subject to the retailers excise tax; and it is agreed that if any article purchased tax free under this exemption certificate is used otherwise, such fact will be reported to the retailer from whom the tax-free purchase was made.

The organization claiming exemption under this certificate has received a determination letter (or a ruling) from the Internal Revenue Service holding the organization to be exempt from income tax as an organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) that is exempt from income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (or has received a determination letter (or ruling) under the corresponding provisions of prior revenue laws). The date of such determination letter (or ruling) is ___ and such determination letter (or ruling) has not been withdrawn or revoked.

I understand that the fraudulent use of this certificate for the purpose of securing this exemption will subject me and all parties making such fraudulent use of this certificate to a fine of not more than $10,000, or to imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both, together with costs of prosecution.

(Signature of authorized individual) (Address)

(2) Form of certificate for exemption from retailers excise taxes for use by a school operated as an activity of a church or other organization described in section 501(c)(3) that in itself is not an educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code:

Exemption Certificate

(For use by or for a school operated as an activity of a church or other organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, that is not, in itself, an educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii), purchasing articles subject to retailers excise tax for the exclusive use of the school) - __________, 19__ (Date) I hereby certify that I am _____ (Title) of _____ (School, church, parish, etc.); that I am authorized to execute this certificate; and that the articles specified in the accompanying order or on the reverse side hereof are purchased by such institution exclusively for use in its educational activities.

I understand that this exemption certificate is for use only by a school operated as an activity of a church or other organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, in the tax-free purchase for its exclusive use of articles subject to the retailers excise tax; or by a church, or other organization in the tax-free purchase of any such article for the exclusive use of its school which qualifies for the exemption; and it is agreed that if any article purchased tax free under this exemption certificate is used otherwise, such fact will be reported to the retailer from whom the tax-free purchase was made.

The school operated as an activity of the church or other organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of pupils or students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are regularly carried on.

(Signature of authorized individual) (Address)

(e) Frequency of certificates. Where only occasional sales are made by a retailer to a nonprofit educational organization, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, a separate exemption certificate should be furnished for each order. However, where sales by the retailer to the educational organization are regularly or frequently made, a certificate covering all orders for a specified period not to exceed 12 calendar quarters will be acceptable. Such certificate and proper records of invoices, orders, etc., relative to tax-free sales must be readily accessible for inspection by internal revenue officers and retained as provided in section 6001 of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

(f) Prima facie evidence of exempt use. The exemption certificate procured by the retailer from the purchasing nonprofit educational organization will be acceptable as prima facie evidence that the article is purchased for the exclusive use of such organization.

(g) Exemption certificate not obtained prior to filing of retailer's excise tax return. If the sale is otherwise exempt but the exemption certificate is not obtained prior to the time the retailer files a return covering taxes due for the period in which the sale was made, the retailer must include the tax on such sale in its return for that period. However, if the certificate is later obtained, a credit may be taken on a subsequent return or a claim for refund of the tax paid on such sale may be filed, within the period of limitation prescribed by section 6511(b) of the Code and § 301.6511(b)-1 of this chapter.

[T.D. 7536, 43 FR 13516, Mar. 31, 1978. Redesignated by T.D. 8066, 51 FR 14, Jan. 2, 1986]