Idaho Administrative Code
Title IDAPA 35 - Tax Commission, State
Rule 35.01.02 - IDAHO SALES AND USE TAX ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
Section 35.01.02.085 - SALES TO AND PURCHASES BY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Universal Citation: ID Admin Code 35.01.02.085

Current through September 2, 2024

Sections 63-3622 and 63-3622O, Idaho Code

01. In General. The Sales Tax Act does not provide any general exemption for, charitable or nonprofit organizations, corporations, associations or other entities. Specific statutory provisions provide exemptions for some charitable organizations. Unless an exemption is clearly granted to a specific organization or to specific sales or purchases by a specific organization or a class of organization, no exemption applies. Special rules apply to religious organizations. See Rule 086 of these rules.

02. Educational Institutions. Sales to and purchases made by non-profit educational institutions, as defined in Section 63-3622O, Idaho Code, are exempt from Idaho sales or use taxes.

03. Health Related Entities. Sales to and purchases made by the specific health related entities listed in Section 63-3622O, Idaho Code, are exempt from Idaho sales or use taxes. Health related organizations not named are not entitled to any exemption from sales and use taxes as a health related entity.

04. Hospitals. In addition to the health related entities listed in Section 63-3622O, Idaho Code, hospitals which are nonprofit institutions licensed for the care of ill persons are exempt. To qualify for the exemption the hospital needs to be a facility defined in Section 39-1301(a), Idaho Code, and licensed as provided in Chapter 13, Title 39, Idaho Code, or an equivalent law in another state. Hospitals operated for profit do not qualify for this exemption, nor do nursing homes, clinics, doctors' offices, or similar facilities unless the organization qualifies for an exemption under Section 63-3622O, Idaho Code.

05. Idaho Foodbank Warehouse, Inc. The Idaho Foodbank Warehouse, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation which gathers food and food products at one (1) central location for distribution to food banks throughout Idaho. All sales to, donations to, and purchases by the Idaho Foodbank Warehouse, Inc., are exempt from sales and use taxes.

a. Example 1: The XYC Corporation buys food from a grocer to donate to the Idaho Foodbank Warehouse, Inc. The XYC Corporation pays sales tax on the purchase since they are not purchasing the food for resale and no other exemption applies.

b. Example 2: The Idaho Food Bank Warehouse, Inc. buys office supplies. No tax is due on the purchase.

06. Food Banks and Soup Kitchens. Food banks or soup kitchens are nonprofit organizations, other than the Idaho Foodbank Warehouse, Inc., which, as one of their regular activities, furnish food to others without charge. Sales to, donations to, and purchases of food or tangible personal property used by food banks and soup kitchens other than the Idaho Foodbank Warehouse, Inc. to grow, store, prepare, or serve food are exempt from sales and use taxes. However, there is no exemption from the sales tax if goods are purchased with the intent and purpose of donation to a qualified organization. This exemption does not extend to the sale, purchase, or use of licensed motor vehicles by food banks or soup kitchens.

a. Example 1: A grocer removes food from their inventory of goods held for resale to donate to a food bank or soup kitchen. The grocer is exempt from the use tax on their cost of the inventory donated.

b. Example 2: The XYZ Corporation buys food from a grocer to donate to a food bank. The XYZ Corporation is not purchasing the food items for resale, and no other exemption from sales tax applies. Sales tax is paid on the purchase.

c. Example 3: A food bank buys a licensed motor vehicle. The purchase is subject to sales tax because the motor vehicle is not used to grow, prepare, or serve food.

07. Red Cross. See Rule 094 of these rules.

08. Nonsale Clothiers. Nonprofit organizations, one of whose primary functions is to provide clothing to the needy without charge, may purchase the clothing without paying tax. Only clothing qualifies for the exemption. Other purchases by the organization are taxable. Clothing may also be removed from a resale inventory and donated to these organizations exempt from use tax. However, there is no exemption from the sales tax if goods are purchased with the intent and purpose of donation to a qualified organization.

a. Example 1: A department store removes clothing from resale merchandise to donate to a nonprofit, nonsale clothier. The store is exempt from the use tax on the cost of the inventory donated.

b. Example 2: A nonprofit, nonsale clothier buys clothing and bed sheets from a department store to give to the needy. No tax is due on the clothing, but the store charges the organization sales tax on the bed sheets.

09. Exemption Certificate. The organizations listed in this rule may make purchases without paying sales tax to the vendor by completing an exemption certificate. See Rule 128 of these rules.

10. Literature. The sale, purchase, use, or other consumption of literature, pamphlets, periodicals, tracts, books, tapes, audio CDs, and other literature which is produced in a machine readable format that are both published and sold by an entity qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are exempt from the tax if no part of the net earnings benefits any individual or shareholder.

11. Sales by Nonprofit Organizations. An exemption from sales tax on sales to one of the foregoing entities does not constitute an exemption from the requirements to collect and remit tax when the entity makes taxable sales to buyers not exempt from tax. When an exempt organization qualifies as a retailer the organization is to register with the Commission, obtain a seller's permit, and collect and remit sales taxes on sales as defined in Section 63- 3612, Idaho Code, in the same manner and in accordance with the same statutes and rules which govern all other retailers in the state. There are two (2) exceptions to this rule.

a. Sales of places to sleep by the Idaho Ronald McDonald house are exempt from sales taxes.

b. Sales of admissions by an entity qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or by an organization conducting an exempt function defined in Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code when:
i. The event is not predominately recreational or commercial; and

ii. Any entertainment value included in the admission charge is minimal when compared to the charge for admission; and

iii. Such entity has paid a sales or use tax on taxable purchases or tangible personal property or services consumed during the event.

12. Senior Citizen Centers. Sales to certain senior citizen centers are exempt from sales tax. The definition of "senior citizen center" in Section 63-3622O, Idaho Code, is the same as the definition of a "multipurpose senior center" as defined in the Older Americans Act, Title 42, Section 3002, United States Code. To qualify for the exemption the center needs to have been granted exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Long-term care facilities do not qualify for this exemption.

13. Free Dental Clinics. Sales to and purchases by organizations providing free dental care to children are exempt from sales and use tax. For the purposes of this exemption "children" means persons under the age of eighteen (18). To qualify for the exemption property or services need to be:

a. Purchased by an organization whose primary purpose is providing free dental care to children; and

b. Primarily used by an organization whose primary purpose is providing free dental care to children.

Effective March 31, 2022

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Idaho may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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