CHAPTER Rev 300  BUSINESS PROFITS TAX

 

Statutory Authority:  RSA 21-J:13, I; 77-A:1, III(b); 77-A:4-a; 77-A:6, I & IV; 77-A:15, II

 

PART Rev 301  DEFINITIONS

 

Rev 301.01  “Adjusted gross business profits” means a business organization’s gross business profits, as defined in RSA 77-A:1, III, modified by the additions and deductions provided in RSA 77-A:4.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.02  “Apportionment” means the division of a business organization's adjusted gross business profits among the states where its activities are conducted by use of a formula provided in RSA 77-A:3.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.03  "Association" means a group of individuals or business organizations which:

 

(a)  Transacts business activity;

 

(b)  Perpetuates its period of existence notwithstanding that its members or participants change; and

 

(c)  Might have been created by a formal agreement, declaration of trust or other legal arrangement.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.04  “Base of operation” means:

 

(a)  In the case of transportation property, the place of more or less permanent nature from which property is regularly directed or controlled; and

 

(b)  In the case of an employee, the place of more or less permanent nature from which the employee regularly:

 

(1)  Starts work and to which he or she customarily returns in order to receive instructions from the employer;

 

(2)  Communicates with customers or other persons; or

 

(3)  Performs any other functions necessary to the exercise of his or her trade or profession.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.05  “Business trust” means an organization:

 

(a)  Properly organized as a trust under the laws of its domicile state; and

 

(b)  Conducting business activity.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6129, eff 11-23-95; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.06  “Combined apportionment factors,” as used in RSA 77-A:3, III, means the summation of the separately calculated sales, payroll and property apportionment factors of each business organization within a combined group.

 

Source.  #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.07  “Combined group” means a business organization whose unitary business is conducted  within and without New Hampshire through the use of more than one legal entity.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 301.06)

 

Rev 301.08  “Combined reporting” means the use of a single tax return or document to report the taxable business profits of a combined group of business organizations subject to the business profits tax.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 301.07)

 

Rev 301.09  “Compensation”, as used in RSA 77-A:3, I(b), means remuneration, excluding fringe benefits, paid for services rendered during the tax period including, but not limited to:

 

(a)  Salaries;

 

(b)  Wages;

 

(c)  Bonuses; and

 

(d)  Commissions.

 

Source. #4192, eff 12-23-86, ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92, ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 301.08)

 

Rev 301.10  “Costs of performance” means the direct costs of providing the service or activity determined in a manner consistent with generally accepted accounting principles and in accordance with practices prevalent in the trade or business of the organization.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 301.09)

 

Rev 301.11  “Earned income”, as used in RSA 77-A:4, III(b), means the net earnings from self-employment as defined in IRC section 1402.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 301.10)

 

Rev 301.12  “Eighty/twenty business organization”, as used in RSA 77-A:1, XV(b), means a separate business organization which includes all its income in a United States tax return but where 80 % or more of the average of the payroll and property of such business organization is outside the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 301.11)

 

Rev 301.13  “Employee” means any person performing services for a business organization for which compensation is provided except that it does not include a director of a corporation acting in such capacity or an independent contractor.

 

Source.  #2012, eff 5-5-82; ss by #2722, eff 5-23-84; ss by #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 301.12)

 

Rev 301.14  “Enterprises as are expressly made exempt”, as referenced in RSA 77-A:1, I, means:

 

(a)  Entities exempt from taxation under section 501 of the IRC; and

 

(b)  Does not mean business organizations which, for federal income tax purposes, serve as conduits either in whole or in part for the real owners such as, but not limited to:

 

(1)  Partnerships;

 

(2)  Single member limited liability companies;

 

(3)  Subchapter S corporations;

 

(4)  Qualified subchapter S subsidiaries;

 

(5)  Grantor trusts;

 

(6)  Real estate investment trusts;

 

(7)  Real estate trusts; or

 

(8)  Regulated investment companies.

 

Source.  #5910, eff 10-14-94; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 301.13)

 

Rev 301.15 “Fringe benefits” means the amounts, other than salaries or wages, paid or allowed by the employer to, or on behalf of, the employee for items including, but not limited to:

 

(a)  Medical insurance premiums;

 

(b)  Self-insured medical expenses;

 

(c)  Life insurance premiums;

 

(d)  Employer portion of F.I.C.A.;

 

(e)  Unemployment compensation;

 

(f)  Company discounts;

 

(g)  Employer contributions to pension or profit sharing plans; or

 

(h)  Education assistance payments.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.16  “Income-producing activity”, as used in RSA 77-A:3, I(c), means:

 

(a)  Transactions and activities directly engaged in by the business organization for the ultimate purpose of obtaining gain or profit and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

 

(1)  The rendering of personal services by employees or the utilization of tangible and intangible property by the business organization in performing a service;

 

(2)  The sale, rental, leasing, or other use of real property;

 

(3)  The sale, rental, leasing, licensing, or other use of tangible personal property; or

 

(4)  The sale, licensing or other use of intangible personal property; and

 

(b)  Does not mean:

 

(1)  Transactions and activities performed for the business organization by independent contractors or other similar persons or entities; or

 

(2)  The mere holding of a security interest in intangible property.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.17  “Independent contractor” means a person who:

 

(a)  Exercises an independent employment;

 

(b)  Contracts to do work for multiple business organizations that are not related parties;

 

(c)  Holds himself or herself out to the public as an independent contractor in the regular course of business; and

 

(d)  Meets one of the following criteria:

 

(1)  Has been granted independent contractor status by the Internal Revenue Service for federal income tax purposes; or

 

(2)  Works according to his or her own judgment or methods, without being subject to any employer except as to the results of the work and, has the right to employ and direct the action of other workers  independently of such employer and freed from any superior authority to say how the specified work will be done.

 

Source.  #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.18  “Interdependence in their functions,” as referenced in RSA 77-A:1, XIV, means that relationship in which the New Hampshire entity is an integral part of a larger system where the business done within the state is dependent upon or contributes to the operation of the business without the state as demonstrated by such factors as:

 

(a)  Centralized management;

 

(b)  Functional integration; and

 

(c)  Economies of scale.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.19  “Internal Revenue Code (IRC)”  means the United States Internal Revenue Code as defined in RSA 77-A:1, XX.

 

Source.  #5910, eff 10-14-94; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.20  “Manufacturing” means:

 

(a)  The process engaged in as a business of transforming raw or finished materials by hand or machinery through the application of human labor and skill into a product which has a new form, composition or character different from that in which it was acquired;

 

(b)  The printing and binding of books, newspapers, magazines or other periodicals;

 

(c)  The electroplating, galvanizing, anodizing, coloring, finishing, impregnating or heat treating of metals or plastics for use in the process of rolling, drawing or extruding of ferrous and non-ferrous metals;

 

(d)  Photo finishing and the processing and development of film, slides and photographs;

 

(e)  The operation of a saw mill or planing mill working on wood or wood products;

 

(f)  Cooking, baking, freezing of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, fish, seafood, meats or grains and flours and placed in a sealed container for further wholesale or retail distribution; and

 

(g)  The brewing of beverages when such property is placed in a sealed container for further wholesale or retail distribution.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.21  “Net profit from all business activity”, as used in RSA 77-A:1, III(b) and Rev 302.01(b), means the difference between the total income and total deductions on federal form 1120-S after making the modifications required by Rev 302.01(c) (1) and (2).

 

Source.  #2012, eff 5-5-82; ss by #2722, eff 5-23-84; ss by #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff
8-25-06

 

Rev 301.22  “Net profit from such business activity”, as used in RSA 77-A:1, III(e), means the amount of net income from business activity as is determinable under the provisions of the IRC for corporations and applied within the provisions of RSA 77-A for such business organizations.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.23  “Partnership” means an unincorporated entity comprised of 2 or more persons for the purpose of conducting business activity as co-owners.

 

Source.  #2012, eff 5-5-82; ss by #2722, eff 5-23-84; ss by #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.24  “Principal New Hampshire business organization” means an entity designated as the responsible party for filing all returns, declarations, extensions, or other documents required under the business profits tax on behalf of a combined group.

 

Source.  #5910, eff 10-14-94; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.25  “Proprietorship”, as used in RSA 77-A:1, III and Rev 300 means:

 

(a)  The ownership of any unincorporated business by an individual; and

 

(b)  Does not mean businesses conducted by an entity such as, but not limited to a:

 

(1)  Partnership; or

 

(2)  Single member limited liability company.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 301.26)

 

Rev 301.26  “Real and tangible personal property” means land, buildings, improvements, equipment, merchandise or manufacturing inventories, leasehold improvements, and other similar property that reflects the organization's business activities.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 301.27)

 

Rev 301.27  “Regular corporation” means an incorporated business not governed by Subchapter S of the IRC for filing its federal income tax returns.

 

Source.  #2012, eff 5-5-82; ss by #2722, eff 5-23-84; ss by #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 301.28)

 

Rev 301.28  “Representative” means an employee of a business organization, or any person  acting on behalf of the business organization. The term does not include independent contractors as defined in Rev 301.17.

 

Source.  #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.29  “S corporation” means a business organization, for federal income tax purposes, is defined within section 1361 of the IRC.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.30  “State”, as used in RSA 77-A:3 and RSA 77-A:4, means:

 

(a)  Any state of the United States or any political subdivision thereof;

 

(b)  The District of Columbia;

 

(c)  The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;

 

(d)  A territory or possession of the United States; and

 

(e)  Any foreign country or political subdivision thereof.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.31  “Taxable in another state” means the activities of the business organization in another state:

 

(a)  Exceed the parameters enumerated in 15 USC section 381, P.L. 86-272,; and

 

(b)  Are sufficient to create a taxable presence within that state.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.32  “Unity of operation”, means there is a centralized executive structure generally directing operations commonly referred to as staff functions.

 

Source.  #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.33  “Unity of ownership”, as used in RSA 77-A:1, XIV, means the activities outside the taxing jurisdiction, together with the in-state activities are owned  either directly or indirectly by the same economic entity or group of economic entities.

 

Source.  #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 301.34  “Unity of use” means there is an executive authority with control over major policy matters and  activities of the business organization.

 

Source.  #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

PART Rev 302  COMPUTATION OF GROSS BUSINESS PROFITS

 

Rev 302.01  Business Organizations Filing as S Corporations for Federal Income Tax Purposes.

 

(a)  A corporation which qualifies and files as an S corporation, for federal income tax purposes pursuant to sections 1361 through 1379 of the IRC, shall be treated the same as a corporation which files as a regular corporation for federal income tax purposes.

 

(b)  A corporation qualified as a subchapter S subsidiary for federal income tax purposes pursuant to section 1361(b) of the IRC shall:

 

(1)  Be treated as a regular S corporation for purposes of the business profits tax;

 

(2)  Maintain sufficiently detailed records to determine the business profits tax liability of the corporation at the corporate level; and

 

(3)  File its own business tax return unless it is part of a combined return.

 

(c)  The following modifications shall be made to federal form 1120S to arrive at the net profit from all business activity:

 

(1)  The ordinary income or loss from trade or business activities on page one of federal form 1120S shall be increased or decreased by all necessary adjustments including, but not limited to, on schedule K of federal form 1120S for the amounts of:

 

a.  Gross income or loss from real estate rental activities less expenses for such activities;

 

b.  Gross income  or loss from other rental activities less expenses for such activities;

 

c.  Interest, dividend or  royalty income;

 

d.  Short-term and long-term capital gains;

 

e.  Net gain or loss under section 1231 of the IRC; and

 

f.  Any S corporation income, loss or expenses not included in federal  form 1120S; and

 

(2)  Expenses allowed to a C corporation may be deducted.

 

(d)  In a year wherein sections of the IRC pertaining to formation or termination of an S corporation are applicable, and the business organization is required to file a federal S corporation short-year return and a federal regular corporation short-year return for the same tax year, the corporation shall, for purposes of business profits tax complete and file Form NH-1120, “Corporate Business Profits Tax Return” with the department.

 

(e)  Form NH-1120 shall be accompanied by both federal returns.

 

(f)  The method selected to allocate income between the short S corporation and regular corporation tax years for federal purposes shall not alter the amount due under RSA 77-A.

 

(g)  A taxpayer shall determine the basis of stock held in an S corporation for business profits tax purposes by:

 

(1)  Calculating the basis amount as if the stock were that of a regular corporation; and 

 

(2)  Not using basis adjustments which follow federal conduit rules for taxation of partnership-type interests.

 

(h)  Liquidations of S corporations shall follow the same rules of the IRC as liquidations of regular corporations for business profits tax purposes.

 

(i)  No part of this section shall be construed as allowing a greater deduction from income or inclusion to income than would be allowable for regular corporations.

 

Source.  #2651, eff 3-22-84; ss by #2722, eff 5-23-84; ss by #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.02  Partnerships.

 

(a)  Co-owners of property shall be considered partners in a business organization if they conduct business activity with the intent of dividing the profits.

 

(b)  Co-owners of property which is maintained, kept in repair, rented or leased shall not, in and of itself, create a partnership.

 

(c)  A business organization that did not, in a prior  tax period, make a required addition to gross business profits for an increase of the basis of an asset under RSA 77-A:4, XIV due to the sale or exchange of an interest or a beneficial interest in a business organization shall not be allowed:

 

(1)  A deduction against gross business profits in any subsequent period for depreciation or amortization on the increased basis in the asset to the extent of the under-reported addition to gross business profits; and 

 

(2)  An increase in the basis of the asset upon disposition in a subsequent period to the extent of the under-reported addition to gross business profits.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.03  Proprietorships.

 

(a)  The gross business profits of a proprietorship, except business activity conducted by a single member limited liability company, shall include:

 

(1)  The total net profit or loss from all businesses, professions, or farming activities reported by an individual on his or her federal income tax return;

 

(2)  The total net income or loss from rental activities reported by an individual on his or her federal income tax return;

 

(3)  The total gain or loss from the disposition of all business assets owned by an individual on his or her federal income tax return; and

 

(4)  The amount of an installment gain from the disposition of all business assets owned by an individual on his or her federal income tax return.

 

(b)  A proprietorship engaged in business activity both within and without New Hampshire shall apportion its gross business profits using the provisions of RSA 77-A:3 and Rev 304.

 

(c)  Where spouses jointly own rental property or provide services for a business activity, and do not file as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the gross business profits from such business activity shall be reported as a single proprietorship.

 

(d)  Gross business profits for a single member limited liability company shall be determined

based on the entity type of its member.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.04  Use of Separate Accounting.  Business organizations shall not determine their New Hampshire business activity for tax purposes by separately computing the net income or loss for business locations within New Hampshire.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; amd by #5910, eff 10-14-94; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.05  Business Organizations Whose Income or Expenses are Federally Reportable by the Owners.

 

(a)  Any business organization, whose income or expenses are reportable by the true owners for federal income tax purposes, shall include all items of income and expense in its business profits tax return rather than the return of the shareholder, partner, or other owner.

 

(b)  Any element of income, expense, or both, required to be reported at the entity level for purposes of the business profits tax shall be removed from the true owner's business profits tax return.

 

(c)  The tax for the business organization shall be computed before any distributions, adjustments, or both, resulting from the application of federal tax law provisions which permit the pass-through of items of income or expenses to the owners.

 

(d)  A real estate investment trust shall be subject to the business profits tax on the taxable income of the real estate investment trust prior to adjustments provided in section 857(b)(2) of the IRC.

 

(e)  A regulated investment company shall be subject to the business profits tax on the taxable income of the regulated investment company prior to the adjustments provided in section 852(b)(2) of the IRC.

 

(f)  A single member limited liability company shall:

 

(1)  Obtain a New Hampshire taxpayer identification number, as defined in  Rev 2902.04,  from the department by filing  Form DP-200, “Request for New Hampshire Taxpayer Identification Number (NHTIN) or a Department Identification Number”, as described in Rev 2903.01,  prior to filing any tax documents with the department if:

 

a.  The taxpayer does not have a federal employer identification number;

 

b.  The taxpayer shares a taxpayer identification number with another taxpayer who is subject to taxation; or

 

c.  The taxpayer is not required to obtain:

 

i.  A federal employer identification number;

 

ii.  Social security number; or

 

iii.  An individual taxpayer identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service; and

 

(2)  Determine its gross business profits as provided in (a) in accordance with:

 

a.  RSA 77-A:1, III(a), if the member is a corporation;

 

b.  RSA 77-A:1, III(c), if the member is a partnership;

 

c.  RSA 77-A:1, III(d), if the member is a proprietor; and

 

d.  RSA 77-A:1, III(e), if the member is a trust;

 

(g)  A qualified subchapter S corporation subsidiary shall determine its gross business profits, as provided in (a), in accordance with RSA 77-A:1, III(b).

 

(h)  A single member limited liability company and a qualified subchapter S corporation subsidiary shall maintain records, as provided in RSA 77-A:11, sufficiently detailed to calculate:

 

a.  Gross business profits;

 

b.  Additions and deductions as provided in RSA 77-A:4; and

 

c.  Apportionment factors as provided in RSA 77-A:3.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.06 Gains or Losses on Sale of Business Assets.

 

(a)  The selling price for the sale or other disposition of a business asset shall be the sum of:

 

(1)  Money received;

 

(2)  Indebtedness assumed by the buyer or transferee; and

 

(3)  The fair market value of any property, other than money, received.

 

(b)  The basis of the business asset, such as the original cost of the asset less the depreciation allowed or allowable, sold or exchanged shall be:

 

(1)  Determined using the requirements of the IRC; and

 

(2)  Applied at the entity level.

 

(c)  One hundred per cent of the recognized gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of a business asset shall be included in a business organization's gross business profits.

 

(d)  The recognition and realization of gains or losses on the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property shall be determined based upon the requirements of the IRC except where RSA 77-A and these rules prescribe a different treatment including, but not limited to, the determination of gain or losses using the federal provisions relating to consolidated returns.

 

(e)  Property owned by more than one business organization shall be reported by each business organization in proportion to its ownership interest on the gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of such property.

 

Source.  #3066, eff 7-23-85; ss by #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.07  Installment Method of Reporting Income.

 

(a)  Business organizations reporting their income under the installment method, for federal income tax purposes, shall report their income for business profits tax purposes using the same method except as provided in (f) and (g) below.

 

(b)  Business organizations selling property on an installment basis shall be considered a business organization until all the installments have been reported and the total tax paid.

 

(c)  The gross sales price of the property shall be considered and not the amount received in a particular year for purposes of the gross business income test.

 

(d)  Neither the gross selling price nor the installment proceeds shall be included in gross business income except for the year of sale for purposes of the gross business income test.

 

(e)  A return reporting the installment income shall be filed every year, regardless of the amount of each installment, if the gross sales price exceeded $50,000 for tax years ending after June 30, 1993.

 

(f)  The reported installment gain income shall not be increased or decreased by income from the other business activity if the filing of a return is due to the reporting of installment income, and the statutory minimum income level other than for the installment sale has not been met.

 

(g)  A business organization may elect to report the entire gain or loss in a single year for business profits tax purposes although it has not elected, pursuant to section 453(d) of the IRC, by attaching a completed Form DP-95, “Permission to Report Net Gain in a Year of Sale”, to the business profits tax return if the filing requirement for subsequent years is solely the result of reporting the gain or loss from the installment sale to New Hampshire.

 

(h)  The sale, exchange or other disposition of an installment obligation by a business organization shall require the inclusion of:

 

(1)  The unreported gain or loss in the business organization’s business profits tax return covering the year the sale, exchange or other disposition took place; and

 

(2)  The computation of the gain or loss and the basis of the obligation in accordance with IRC section 453B.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.08  Sale of Agricultural Land Development Rights.

 

(a)  Amounts received by a business organization from the state of New Hampshire for the purchase of agricultural land development rights shall constitute gross business income within the meaning of RSA 77-A:1, VI, as gross proceeds from the sale of assets used in the trade or business.

 

(b)  The gain or loss realized from the sale in (a) shall be includible in the gross business profits of a business organization if such asset is compatible with the underlying business activity.

 

(c)  The gain or loss on the sale of agricultural land development rights to the state of New Hampshire by a farmer shall not constitute the sale of a business asset.

 

(d)  The gain or loss on the sale of agricultural land development rights to the state of New Hampshire by a lessor, shall constitute the disposition of a portion of the assets used in the trade or business of the business organization if it diminishes or destroys the underlying business activity of leasing.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.09  Business Organizations Includible in Federal Consolidated Return.

 

(a)  Business organizations includible in a federal consolidated return shall determine their gross business profits without applying sections 1501 through 1505 of the IRC and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Treasury Regulations 1.1501 et seq.

 

(b)  Business organizations shall compute the basis of their property, including the stock of subsidiaries, using the basis provisions contained in the IRC for non-affiliated corporations.

 

(c)  A combined group of business organizations filing a federal consolidated return shall determine the gross business profits of each separate legal entity in accordance with (a) and (b) above.

 

(d)  The amount of income, expense and gross business profits determined under (a) for each entity shall be added together and all intergroup activity eliminated to arrive at the gross business profits of the combined group.

 

Source.  #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.10  Business Organizations Includible in a Combined Report.

 

(a)  Business organizations utilizing combined reporting, as defined in Rev 301.07, shall determine the gross business profits of each business organization includible in the combined group as if the organizations were not affiliated companies in accordance with RSA 77-A:1, I and III and Rev 300.

 

(b)  The amounts of income from each entity shall be added and all intergroup activity shall be eliminated to arrive at the gross business profits of the combined group.

 

(c)  The amounts of deductions from each entity shall be added and all intergroup activity shall be eliminated to arrive at the gross business profits of the combined group.

 

Source.  #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.11  Factors Suggesting Unity of Operation.  To determine if a centralized executive structure controls the staff functions indicating unity of operation, the department shall consider the importance to the business organization of, and the extent to which, the following factors are controlled by a centralized executive structure:

 

(a)  Accounting;

 

(b)  Advertising;

 

(c)  Industrial or public relations;

 

(d)  Insurance;

 

(e)  Legal;

 

(f)  Purchasing;

 

(g)  Research and development;

 

(h)  Retirement planning; or

 

(i)  Any other factor commonly referred to as a staff function.

 

Source.  #5355, eff 3-16-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.12  Factors Suggesting Unity of Use.  To determine if a centralized authority controls major policy decisions and activities of the business organization indicating unity of use, the department shall consider the importance to the business organization of, and the extent to which, the following factors are overseen or performed by an executive authority:

 

(a)  Defines and controls the general system for producing profit;

 

(b)  Establishes professional standards to enhance or promote public perception of the business;

 

(c)  Imposes and enforces procedures to implement compliance of business activities with public law and regulations;

 

(d)  Sets standards of ethical performance;

 

(e)  Controls major policy issues;

 

(f)  Makes budgetary allocations;

 

(g)  Approves major capital expenditures and expansions;

 

(h)  Appoints, assigns or transfers personnel for combined group members;

 

(i)  Coordinates the activities of the affiliated entities within the general system of operations;

 

(j)  Prepares the financial reports;

 

(k)  Determines and defines required intergroup transactions including sales, financing, and transfers of goods or services;

 

(l)  Determines combined group decisions in matters involving intergroup conflicts or problems; or

 

(m)  Any other function managed by a central executive authority.

 

Source.  #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 302.13  Master Limited Partnerships.

 

(a)  The taxable presence New Hampshire of any master limited partner conducting master limited partnership business activities shall be deemed sufficient contact with New Hampshire to subject the master limited partnership to the provisions of the business profits tax.

 

(b)  Form NH 1065, “Partnership Business Profits Tax Return”, reporting the combined net income of the master limited partnership’s unitary business shall be filed in accordance with the provisions of Rev 307.07.

 

Source.  #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 302.11)

 

Rev 302.14  Election to Adopt Consolidated Group's Averaging Convention.

 

(a)  If a New Hampshire business organization is a member of a federal consolidated group that has utilized a different averaging convention under section 168(d) of the IRC than would be allowable for the New Hampshire business organization under a separate entity filing, the New Hampshire business organization may elect to follow the averaging conventions of its consolidated group by indicating that choice to the department by attaching the following statement to its business profits tax return:

 

“(name of business organization) hereby elects to adopt the averaging conventions of Internal Revenue Code section 168(d) utilized by the (name of parent) federal consolidated group of which it is a part, and hereby attests that its usage will have no material effect on the tax liabilities of (name of business organization).”

 

(b)  The business organization's election shall be disallowed when an audit is performed on returns filed by a business organization and the audit determines the election resulted in a material impact upon the business organization's New Hampshire tax liability.

 

(c)  The averaging convention otherwise required shall be required for each return so affected in (b) above.

 

(d)  A material impact upon the business organization’s New Hampshire tax liability shall occur when there is a variance of 10 % between the tax liabilities calculated using the consolidated group’s averaging convention and the averaging convention of non-consolidated entities.

 

Source.  #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 302.12)

 

Rev 302.15  Reasonable Compensation for Employees of a Corporation.

 

(a)  Reasonable compensation for an employee of a corporation shall follow IRC section 162 and related federal authority in determining the gross business profits of a corporation.

 

(b)  The business organization shall be allowed to deduct reasonable compensation to an owner employee in determining the gross business profits of a corporation or other organization permitted a federal compensation deduction for any owner employee in arriving at its gross business profits.

 

Source.  #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 302.13)

 

Rev 302.16  Professional Limited Liability Companies.  A professional limited liability company conducting business activity in New Hampshire shall determine its filing requirement, gross business profits and apportionment of income in the same manner as a limited liability company.

 

Source.  #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 302.14)

 

PART Rev 303  ADDITIONS AND DEDUCTIONS MADE TO GROSS BUSINESS PROFITS

 

Rev 303.01  Compensation for Personal Services of Proprietor, Partner or Member.

 

(a)  For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(1)  “Amounts which are reasonable and fairly attributable to the personal services of the proprietor, partner or member” means the amount that business organizations of similar size, volume and complexity compensate employees with similar responsibility, devotion of time, education and experience as the proprietor, partner or member actually rendering services.  The term does not include amounts that are fairly attributable to a return on business assets and amounts that are fairly attributable to a return on the labor of non-owner employees;

 

(2)  “Fairly attributable to a return on business assets” means the income stream related to the use of business assets defined in RSA 77-A:1, XI, but not the services of maintaining those assets;

 

(3)  “Fairly attributable to a return on the labor of non-owner employees” means the value to the business organization of its employees generally measured by the income to the business brought about by the efforts of non-owner employees over and above the costs to the organization for those employees including supervisory, training and overhead costs incurred by the business organization; and

 

(4)  “Actually renders personal services” means the services performed by the proprietor, partner or member of the business organization directly related to the operation of the business organization, but not in the capacity of an employee, owner, partner or member of another business organization.

 

(b)  Compensation shall be available to a proprietor, partner, or member of a limited liability company taxed as a proprietorship or partnership for federal income tax purposes who:

 

(1)  Is a natural person; and

 

(2)  Actually renders personal services to the business organization.

 

(c)  Compensation shall be allowed for amounts which are:

 

(1)  Reasonable and fairly attributable to the personal services of the proprietor, partner or member pursuant to RSA 77-A:4, III(a); and

 

(2)  Not in excess of the maximum deduction allowable pursuant to RSA 77-A:4, III(b).

 

(d)  In order to support the reasonableness of the compensation deduction for a proprietor, partner, or member, a business organization shall maintain records to indicate the:

 

(1)  Personal services provided by the individual for the business organization;

 

(2)  Amount of time required to perform the personal services for the business organization taking the deduction; and 

 

(3)  The methods used to determine the amount of the compensation deduction.

 

(e)  A business organization may utilize comparative compensation data from:

 

(1)  Business organizations of similar size, volume and complexity from industry statistics; or

 

(2)  Publications such as the most current editions of:

 

a.  The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, available at www.bls.gov; and

 

b.  The New Hampshire Wages and Benefits published by the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security, available at www.nhes.state.nh.us, as a reference point.

 

(f)  Each proprietor, partner, or member described in (b) above shall be allowed a minimum deduction of $6000.

 

(g)  In determining the maximum deduction allowable under RSA 77-A:4, III (b) for the proprietor’s, partner’s, or member’s compensation, the proprietor, partner, or member shall utilize the sum of the following amounts included on their federal income tax schedules:

 

(1)  The sum of the following amounts from the federal income tax returns of the business organization:

 

a.  Net profit or loss from federal form 1040, schedule C;

 

b.  Net farm profit or loss from federal form 1040, schedule F;

 

c.  Ordinary income or loss from trade or business activities from federal form 1065, schedule K-1;

 

d.  Guaranteed payments to a partner or member from federal form 1065, schedule K-1; and

 

e.  Income, expenses or losses from business activities in the regular trade or business or the partnership or limited liability company taxed as partnership for federal tax purposes that are specifically allocated to the individual partner or member;

 

(2)  Net income or loss, but not less than zero, from rental properties from federal form 1040, schedule E, federal form 8825 and federal form 4835; and

 

(3)  If the proprietor, partner or member acted as the broker or agent the following shall apply:

 

a.  If no other broker or agent representing the seller was involved in the sale of the property, a commission not to  exceed 15% of the total gross sales price as shown on federal form 4797, federal form 6252, federal form 1065 schedule D, and federal form 1040 for the sale of business assets; or

 

b.  If the partner, proprietor or member acts as a co-broker, the maximum deduction shall be the difference between the  amount determined in a. above and the amounts paid to other brokers or agents.

 

(h)  A partnership business organization electing to be taxed as a corporation for federal income tax purposes shall:

 

(1)  Not take a compensation deduction under RSA 77-A:4, III; and

 

(2)  Take a reasonable compensation deduction as allowed under the IRC when such deduction is:

 

a.  Taken on the entity's federal corporate return filed with the Internal  Revenue Service; and

 

b.  In accordance with  Rev 302.15.

 

(i)  Where a proprietor, partner, or member provides personal services for multiple business organizations, the records of each organization shall comply with the requirements of (c) above.

 

(j)  Where a proprietor, partner, or member provides personal services for multiple business organizations, the deduction claimed by each business organization shall be for the personal services rendered to it by the individual in the capacity of the proprietor, partner, or member of the specific business organization for which the deduction is taken.

 

(k)  Remuneration for the personal services performed by a spouse shall be deductible:

 

(1)  As compensation in determining the gross business profits of the business organization when the spouse is an employee; or

 

(2)  Under the provisions of RSA 77-A:4, III if the spouse is not an employee of the business organization and performs the personal services as a surrogate for the proprietor, partner or member.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 303.02  Qualified Research Contributions.

 

(a)  For purposes of RSA 77-A:4, XII(a), the business organization shall add back to its gross business profits the federally deducted amount attributable to the specifically contributed items which meet all requirements of qualified research contributions defined in RSA 77-A:1, X.

 

(b)  Each business organization taking a qualified research contribution under RSA 77-A:4, XII shall attach a document to its business profits tax return containing the following information:

 

(1)  Name of each donee;

 

(2)  Date of each donation;

 

(3)  Description of each item donated;

 

(4)  Amount deducted under section 170 of the IRC for the contributed item;

 

(5)  Business organization's basis in the contributed item;

 

(6)  Total amount of unrealized appreciation for the contributed item; and

 

(7) The portion of the federal contribution carryover attributable to a New Hampshire contribution deducted under RSA 77-A:4, XII.

 

(c)  The amount listed under (b)(7), above, shall be utilized to increase the business organization's gross business profits in subsequent years as the contribution carryover is used to reduce federal taxable income.

 

(d)  When a contribution becomes a New Hampshire qualified research contribution, as defined in RSA 77-A:1, X, that contribution shall:

 

(1)  Be considered fully taken in the year it is given;

 

(2)  Not be endowed with special federal tax attributes beyond the scope of the language of RSA 77-A:1, X, such as, but not limited to, the federal carryover capabilities of unused charitable contributions; and

 

(3)  Not be carried over to a subsequent business profits tax return.

 

Source.  #2567, eff 12-28-83; ss by #2722, eff 5-23-84; ss by #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; amd by #6675, eff 1-27-98; ss and moved by #6853, eff 9-23-98 (from Rev 303.03); ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 303.03  Net Operating Loss Deduction.

(a)  No loss amounts incurred before July 1, 1997, as determined by the business organization’s method of accounting, shall contribute either directly or indirectly to a net operating loss deduction.

 

(b)  Section 172 of the IRC in effect December 31, 1996, for purposes of calculating the amount of any net operating loss deduction allowed under RSA 77-A:4, XIII, shall be followed, except:

 

(1) The carryback of loss required by IRC section 172 (b)(1) is not required for New Hampshire’s purposes; and

 

(2)  The amount is limited as provided in Rev 303.03 (d), (e), and (f), below.

 

(c)  Net operating losses may be carried forward for 10 years following the loss year.

 

(d)  Business organizations, subject to RSA 77-A:3, regarding the apportionment of income shall apportion any net operating loss carried forward using the formula provided in RSA 77-A:3 and Rev 304.

 

(e)  Combined groups with more than one member subject to RSA 77-A shall:

 

(1)  Calculate separate apportionment percentages for each business organization as follows:

 

a.  The denominators used to calculate these percentages shall be the sales, payroll and property denominators of the combined group; and

 

b.  The numerators shall be the  New Hampshire sales, payroll and property of each respective business organization subject to RSA 77-A;

 

(2)  Treat each business organization’s apportioned share of the combined loss amount as a tax attribute which remains with that business organization;

 

(3)  Total the apportioned loss carry forward amounts of each business organization in the combined group possessing such tax attributes; and

 

(4)  Apply the result in (3) as a deduction from the gross business profits of the combined group before apportionment under RSA 77-A:3  in the taxable period in which the deduction is to be used.

 

(f)  The net operating loss carry forward calculated in either (b), (d) or (e) above, shall be limited as provided in RSA 77-A:4 XIII (a), (b), (c) and (d) for each business organization.

 

(g)  The resulting net operating loss shall be applied to the gross business profits before apportionment under RSA 77-A:3.

 

(h)  Business organizations availing themselves of the net operating loss deduction shall:

 

(1)  Maintain detailed records that confirm each step in the calculation of the:

 

a.  Net operating loss;

 

b.  Net operating loss carry forward; and

 

c.  Net operating loss deduction amounts; and

 

(2)  Retain the federal and state tax returns and the detailed records relating to a net operating loss for all taxable periods to which the net operating loss relates.

 

(i)  During a department audit of a taxable period where a New Hampshire net operating loss deduction is taken on a return, within the statute of limitations, the business organization shall:

 

(1)  Provide the department with all state and federal tax returns and detailed records with an impact on the proper calculation of the deduction taken by the business organization;

 

(2)  Not receive a refund for a prior year overpayment nor be assessed additional tax liability for prior year deficiencies resulting from an inquiry that reveals adjustments to prior taxable period net operating loss calculations would be appropriate in the liability of the business organization in any of the prior taxable periods outside the statute of limitations;

 

(3)  Deduct the appropriate New Hampshire net operating loss deduction in the audit years as if the extra-statutory year adjustments had been made; and

 

(4)  Adjust the carry forward amount in the years subsequent to the audit year.

 

Source.  #2012, eff 5-5-82; amd by #2403, eff 6-27-83; ss by #2722, eff 5-23-84; ss by #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by 5355, eff 3-16-92; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss and moved by #6853, eff 9-23-98 (from Rev 303.04); rpld and ss by #8709, eff
8-25-06

 

Rev 303.04  Interest Income Derived from Notes, Bonds and Other Securities of the United States.

 

(a)  For purposes of this section, “other securities” means a long-term indebtedness similar to a bond that can be sold or exchanged by the owner.

 

(b)  Deposits, such as demand deposits, timed deposits or certificates of deposits, placed in financial institutions of the United States shall not be considered to be notes, bonds or other securities of the United States.

 

(c)  Business organizations shall deduct only interest which is received directly or indirectly from direct obligations of the United States.

 

(d)  Business organizations, upon a request from the department, shall provide documentation showing that the interest  was from a direct obligation of the United States. 

 

(e)  The documentation provided in (d) shall indicate that the obligation:

 

(1)  Was in writing;

 

(2)  Was interest bearing;

 

(3)  Contained a binding promise by the United States to pay specific sums at specified dates; and

 

(4)  Contained specific congressional authorization pledging the full faith and credit of the United States in support of the promise to pay.

 

(f) Business organizations shall deduct that portion of interest from US obligations represented by gross business profits, net of business expenses relating to the obligation as provided in RSA 77-A:4, II.

 

(g)  Interest received on obligations from organizations where the United States guarantees, but is not the principal obligor of the debt, shall not qualify for the deduction provided in RSA 77-A:4, II. 

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; amd by #5910, eff 10-14-94; amd by #6026, eff 4-27-95; amd by #6129, eff 11-23-95; ss and moved by #6853, eff 9-23-98 (from Rev 303.05); ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

PART Rev 304  APPORTIONMENT OF ADJUSTED GROSS BUSINESS PROFITS

 

Rev 304.01  Availability or Requirement of Apportionment for Business Organization.

 

(a)  A New Hampshire domiciled business organization shall apportion its income outside of New Hampshire if:

 

(1)  Its business activities are conducted both within and without New Hampshire; and

 

(2)  The business organization's activities were sufficient in another state for that state to impose a:

 

a.  Net income tax;

 

b.  Franchise tax based upon net income; or

 

c.  Capital stock tax.

 

(b)  A business organization not domiciled in New Hampshire shall apportion a portion of its income to New Hampshire if:

 

(1)  Its activities within New Hampshire are sufficient to meet the due process requirements of the New Hampshire constitution in part 1, article 12 and part 2, articles 5 and 6; and

 

(2)  Its in-state activities exceed the protection of 15 USC Section 381, P.L. 86-272.

 

(c)  A business organization shall not apportion a portion of its income to another state when:

 

(1)  Its activities within the other state were not sufficient for that state to impose the taxes referred in (a)(2) above;

 

(2)  It pays a minimal fee for qualifying to do business within that state; or

 

(3)  It voluntarily files and pays a tax referred to in (a)(2), above, which it was not legally required to do.

 

(d)  A business organization shall determine its immunity under 15 USC Section 381, P.L. 86-272, by comparing its activities within New Hampshire to the:

 

(1)  Activities which exceed the protection of P.L. 86-272 when conducted in New Hampshire, such as:

 

a.  Making repairs or providing maintenance;

 

b.  Owning, maintaining, leasing, or otherwise using any of the following facilities or property:

 

1.  Repair shop;

 

2.  Parts department;

 

3.  Purchasing office;

 

4.  Employment or recruiting office;

 

5.  Warehousing facilities including the use of public warehouses;

 

6.  Meeting place for directors, officers or employees;

 

7.  Stock of goods other than samples used entirely ancillary to the solicitation of orders;

 

8.  Mobile stores such as a truck with a driver salesman making sales from the vehicle; or

 

9.  Real property, fixtures or equipment of any kind;

 

c.  Collecting current or delinquent accounts;

 

d.  Installing merchandise or equipment or supervising such work;

 

e.  Conducting training programs, seminars or lectures for personnel other than personnel

involved only in the solicitation of sales;

 

f.  Investigating, handling, or otherwise assisting in resolving customer complaints, other than mediating direct customer complaints when the sole purpose of such mediation is to ingratiate the sales personnel with the customer;

 

g.  Approving or accepting customer orders;

 

h.  Providing any kind of technical assistance or services, such as engineering assistance or services, when one of the purposes thereof is other than the facilitation of the solicitation of orders ;

 

i.  Accepting deposits on customer orders;

 

j.  Picking up or replacing damaged or returned property.

 

k.  Hiring, training, or supervising personnel, other than personnel involved only in solicitation;

 

l.  Repossessing property;

 

m.  Providing shipping information and coordinating deliveries;

 

n.  Maintaining a sample or display room in excess of 14 days at any one location during the  taxable period;

 

o.  Carrying samples for sale, exchange or distribution in any manner for consideration;

 

p.  Consigning tangible personal property to any person, including an independent   contractor;

 

q.  Using agency stock checks or any other instruments or process by which sales are made within New Hampshire by sales personnel;

 

r.  Maintaining, by any representative, an office or place of business in the home or otherwise that is publicly attributed to the business organization or to the agent of the business organization in their agency status, even if such office is for the exclusive use of soliciting orders; or

 

s.  Conducting any activity in addition to those described in Rev 304.01(d)(2) which is not entirely ancillary to the solicitation of orders, even if such activity helps to increase purchases;

 

(2)  Business activities which fall within the protection of P.L. 86-272 when conducted in New Hampshire, include:

 

a.  Soliciting orders for sales by any type of advertising;

 

b.  Carrying samples only for display or for distribution without charge or other consideration;

 

c.  Owning or furnishing motor vehicles to sales personnel;

 

d.  Submitting inquiries and complaints received to the home office;

 

e.  Checking of customers' inventories without a charge for the purpose of a replacement order but not for other purposes such as quality control;

 

f.  Soliciting orders using an in-state resident representative of the business organization provided the representative maintains no in-state sales office or place of business whether in-home or otherwise that is attributable to the business organization or to the business organization's agent in his agency capacity;

 

g.  Conducting missionary sales activities;

 

h.  Maintaining a sample or display room for 14 days, or less, at any one location during the taxable period;

 

i.  Recruiting, training, or evaluating sales personnel, including occasionally using homes, hotels or similar places for meetings with sales personnel;

 

j.  A representative maintaining an in-home office that is not:

 

1.  Paid for directly or indirectly by the business organization;

 

2.  Attributable to the business organization; or

 

3.  Attributable to the business organization's agents in their agency capacity; or

 

k.  Mediating direct customer complaints when the purpose thereof is solely for ingratiating the sales personnel with the customer and facilitating requests for orders.

 

(e)  Independent contractors conducting activities in New Hampshire on behalf of a business organization shall cause the business organization to:

 

(1)  Lose its immunity when the activities include:

 

a.  Maintaining a consignment inventory of the organization's products other than for purposes of display; or

 

b.  Entering into any other type of arrangement extending beyond the solicitation of orders; or

 

(2)  Not lose its immunity when the activities include:

 

a.  Soliciting and making sales for the business organization; or

 

b.  Maintaining their own office.

 

(f)  A business organization, whose activities do not exceed the protection of P.L. 86-272, claiming exemption under the federal law and desiring to commence the 3 year statute of limitation shall:

 

(1)  Indicate on the front page of their applicable New Hampshire business profits tax return that the business organization is exempt by:

 

a.  Placing a check mark in the appropriate box; or

 

b.  Typing or clearly printing “exempt under P.L. 86-272”; and

 

(2)  Not attach New Hampshire business profits tax return schedules or federal tax return and schedules.

 

(g)  The purpose of this section is to reconcile the combined reporting method with the limitations imposed by P.L. 86-272 on states’ taxing jurisdictions. This section shall be interpreted in furtherance of that purpose.

 

(h)  If any member of a combined group has nexus with New Hampshire, and one member does not have nexus with New Hampshire or another state the following rules shall apply:

 

(1)  An individual business organization shall be subject to the tax jurisdiction of New Hampshire or another state for purposes of Rev 304.01 (b) and (c) respectively only on the basis of the separate activities of that individual business organization and its representatives; and

 

(2)  A business organization shall not be subject to the tax jurisdiction of New Hampshire or another state for purposes of Rev 304.01 (b) and (c) respectively, merely because an affiliate of the business organization conducts business activities in New Hampshire or another state that are unitary with the individual business organization’s business activities.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; amd by #5910, eff 10-14-94; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06

 

Rev 304.02  Property Factor.

 

(a)  The property factor shall include:

 

(1)  All the real and tangible personal property, as defined in Rev 301.26;

 

(2)  Property that is used, is available for, or capable of being used, during the taxable period in the regular course of the trade or business of the business organization;

 

(3)  Property used in the regular course of business until its permanent withdrawal from use;

 

(4)  Property in transit with the property being included in the numerator of destination state; and

 

(5)  The value of moveable or mobile property, such as construction equipment and common carrier vehicles, with the value being determined for purposes of the property factor on the total time or miles within a state during the period.

 

(b)  Property or equipment under construction during the tax period, except inventoriable goods in process, shall be excluded from the factor until such property is used or available for use by the business organization in its regular trade or business.

 

(c)  Property, other than inventory, owned by the business organization shall be valued at its original cost and be the basis of the property for federal income tax purposes at the time of acquisition, prior to any federal adjustments, and adjusted by subsequent sale, exchange, abandonment, or other such disposition.

 

(d) Inventory, owned by the business organization, shall be included in the property factor in accordance with the valuation method used for federal income tax purposes.

 

(e)  Property rented by a business organization shall be valued at 8 times the net annual rental rate.

 

(f)  The net annual rental rate shall be the annual rent paid or accrued by the business organization less the aggregate annual sub-rental rates accrued or received from sub-tenants.

 

(g)  Rent shall be the amount payable for the use of real or tangible property whether designated as a fixed sum or as a percentage of sales or profits, and includes any additional amounts due in lieu of rent such as interest and taxes which are required by the terms of the lease. 

 

(h)  Business organizations renting property in the regular course of a trade or business shall not deduct such rental income as sub-rents.

 

(i)  Business organizations utilizing combined reporting shall:

 

(1)  Determine the property includible in the property factor after having eliminated all of the inter group activity; and

 

(2)  Eliminate any intergroup profits from the valuation of property included in the property apportionment factor.

 

(j)  The beginning and ending average value of owned property shall be used for the property factor unless material distortions of the factor are caused by:

 

(1)  Fluctuations in values existing during the period; or

 

(2)  The acquisition or disposition of significant property during the period.

 

(k)  Material distortions shall exist in instances where the property factor computed using monthly averages is 25% greater or lesser than the property factor computed using the beginning and ending average.

 

(l)  Business organizations having material distortions caused by the use of a beginning and ending average value shall calculate the value of their property for apportionment purposes using a monthly average.

 

Source.  #2012, eff 5-5-82; ss by #2722, eff 5-23-84; ss by #4192, eff 12-23-86; amd by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; amd by #5910, eff 10-14-94; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 304.03)

 

Rev 304.03  Payroll Factor.

 

(a)  The total amount of compensation paid to employees shall be determined based on:

 

(1)  The basis of the business organization's method of accounting; or

 

(2)  The wages reported on the various states’ unemployment tax returns.

 

(b)  The method selected under paragraph (a) shall be used in a consistent manner.

 

(c)  Business organizations making a change under (a) above from one method to another, shall make all adjustments required in order to prevent the inclusion of the identical wages in the payroll factor for more than one taxable period.

 

(d)  An employer and employee relationship shall exist before compensation is included in the payroll apportionment factor.

 

(e)  The employer and employee relationship shall exist when the individual for whom the services are to be performed has the right to:

 

(1)  Control and direct the individual performing the activities in areas greater than the overall results of the work; or

 

(2)  Determine the methods and individuals used in performing the activity.

 

(f)  Payment made to, or on behalf of, independent contractors shall not be includible in a business organization's payroll apportionment factor.

 

(g)  A designation of employee or independent contractor adopted by the individuals not factually supported shall not change the relationship that actually exists for purposes of RSA 77-A:3, I(b).

 

(h)  Business organizations includible in a combined group shall eliminate all intergroup payments for the use of another group member's employees with only the compensation actually paid to the employee being included.

 

(i)  An employee's compensation shall be included in a state's numerator when:

 

(1)  The employee's base of operations is located in that state;

 

(2)  The employee's activities are controlled from within that state in instances where there is no base of operations; or

 

(3)  That state is the employee's state of residency in instances where:

 

a.  There is no base of operations; and

 

b.  The location from which the employee's activities are controlled cannot be determined.

 

Source.  #2012, eff 5-5-82; ss by #2722, eff 5-23-84; ss by #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 304.04)

 

Rev 304.04  Sales Factor.

 

(a)  Income producing activity shall include any:

 

(1)  Transaction, procedure, or operation directly engaged in by a business organization resulting in a separately identifiable item of income; or

 

(2)  Activity which creates an obligation of a particular customer to pay specific consideration to the business organization.

 

(b)  The sales factor shall include:

 

(1)  Sales less returns and allowances;

 

(2)  Dividends not eligible for the dividend deduction under RSA 77-A:4, or the factor relief provided in RSA 77-A:3, II(b);

 

(3)  Interest;

 

(4)  Rents;

 

(5)  Royalties;

 

(6)  Capital gain income;

 

(7)  Net gains or losses; and

 

(8)  Other income unless the other income is properly includible as a reduction of an expense or allowance.

 

(c)  The sales factor numerator for separate business organizations and all members of a combined group shall include the sum of:

 

(1)  Sales of tangible personal property, regardless of the conditions of sale delivered in New Hampshire, other than to the United States government;

 

(2)  Sales of tangible personal property originating in New Hampshire to a purchaser in another state in which the business organization is not taxable or subject to tax;

 

(3)  Sales of tangible personal property originating in New Hampshire and delivered to the United States government in any state;

 

(4)  Interest on installment receivables where the debtor or the encumbered property is located in New Hampshire;

 

(5)  Gross receipts from the lease, rental or other use of real or personal property located in New Hampshire;

 

(6)  Gross receipts from the licensing or other use of intangible property when such property is used within New Hampshire;

 

(7)  Gains or losses from the sale of property located in New Hampshire;

 

(8)  Capital gains from the sale of business assets located within New Hampshire;

 

(9)  Dividend income received by business organizations domiciled in New Hampshire;

 

(10)  Gross receipts for the rendering of personal services when the services are performed in New Hampshire; and

 

(11)  Other income which is earned in New Hampshire.

 

(d)  The rental, lease, licensing or other use of tangible or intangible personal property in New Hampshire shall be considered a separate and distinct income producing activity within New Hampshire.

 

(e)  Business organizations utilizing combined reporting shall determine the costs of performance as used in RSA 77-A:3, I (c) and Rev 301.09 for each business organization on a separate entity basis.

 

(f)  When an income producing activity results from the use of personal property within and without New Hampshire during the taxable period, gross receipts attributable to New Hampshire shall be measured by one of the following ratios:

 

(1)  Where the amount of time is the most appropriate measure under the specific facts and circumstances of the business organization’s activities, the time the property was used in New Hampshire as compared to the total time of use of the property everywhere during that taxable period; or

 

(2)  Where distance is the most appropriate measure under the specific facts and circumstances of the business organization’s activities, the distance traveled or covered in New Hampshire as compared to the total distance traveled or covered everywhere during the taxable period.

 

(g)  Personal services performed in New Hampshire shall be a separate income producing activity performed in New Hampshire unless the business organization can demonstrate the activity performed in New Hampshire is completely dependent upon activities performed by the business organization in one or more other states.

 

(h)  The rendering of personal services shall be attributed to New Hampshire if the activity:

 

(1)  Is completely performed in New Hampshire; or

 

(2)  Performed in New Hampshire is a dependent component of a service performed both within and without New Hampshire and a greater proportion of the costs directly associated with performing such service are incurred in New Hampshire.

 

        (i)  Costs of performance shall be determined on a separate entity basis consistent with the separate entity treatment provided in RSA 77-A:1, I not withstanding that a combined report is filed.

 

(j)  In determining the costs directly associated with the performance of the service in (h), the business organization shall allocate all compensation costs, including benefits, of personnel rendering the service based on the amount of time spent rendering the service in New Hampshire as compared to the time spent in rendering the service outside New Hampshire.

 

(k)  Expenses incurred in obtaining or retaining customers or clients, including contract negotiations, shall not be costs directly associated with the performance of the service.

 

(l)  The sales price shall include all interest, carrying charge or time-price differential charges and excise taxes passed on to the buyer or included as part of the selling price of the product.

 

(m)  Business organizations includible in a combined group shall eliminate all intergroup transactions with other members of the combined group for both the numerator and denominator of the sales factor.

 

Source.  #2012, eff 5-5-82; ss by #2722, eff 5-23-84; ss by #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 304.05)

 

Rev 304.05  Business Organizations Seeking a Modification of Apportionment Provisions.

 

(a)  A business organization shall petition the commissioner in writing by separate cover for approval prior to using the modified apportionment formula provided in RSA 77-A:3.

 

(b)  The petition for use of the modification of the apportionment formula shall:

 

(1)  Be mailed to:

 

Commissioner

New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration

PO Box 457

Concord, NH 03302-0457;

 

(2)  Set forth a complete statement of the facts relating to the request including:

 

a.  For all interested parties:

 

i.  Full names, and  addresses;

 

ii.  Federal identification numbers; and

 

iii.  Department license numbers, if any;

 

b.  A full and precise statement of the necessity for the modification;

 

c.  A detailed description of the business activity which necessitates the modification; and

 

d.  Evidence supporting the business organization's petition including:

 

i.  Court decisions on the matter; and

 

ii.  True copies of all contracts, deeds, agreements, instruments or other documents demonstrating the necessity of the modification;

 

(3)  Reference to the statutory provisions relating to the subject of the petition;

 

(4)  A description of the modified formula proposed by the business organization; and

 

(5)  A statement whether or not, to the best of the petitioner's knowledge, the modification is the subject of prior petition requests of a similar or identical factual nature.

 

(c)  The information in the petition shall be reviewed by the commissioner’s designee, to determine whether the requested modification measures the activity being conducted in New Hampshire more accurately than the statutory apportionment formulas.

 

(d)  A petitioner may appeal the department’s written determination and request a hearing on the petition in the same manner as an adjudicative proceeding involving the administration, assessment, or refund of taxes governed by Rev 200.

 

(e)  An appeal shall be filed, pursuant to Rev 200, within 60 days of the notice of the recommendation of the commissioner’s designee.

 

(f)  The use of a separate accounting result which differs from the standard apportionment result shall not prove the need for, or the acceptability of, a modified apportionment formula.

 

(g)  If the commissioner disapproves a petition, no return shall be considered filed by the business organization until a proper apportionment schedule is submitted to the department.

 

(h)  The use of a modified apportionment formula by a business organization without prior written approval or final hearing order of the commissioner shall:

 

(1)  Constitute a willful violation of RSA 77-A:3; and

 

(2)  Not be considered filed for purposes of RSA 77-A:6, RSA 77-A:1, VII; and Rev 307 until such approval has been obtained from or ordered by the commissioner.

 

(i)  A copy of the commissioner's approval letter shall be attached to all subsequent returns filed.

 

Source.  #4192, eff 12-23-86; ss by #4438, eff 6-22-88; ss by #5490, eff 10-19-92; amd by #5910, eff 10-14-94; ss by #6853, eff 9-23-98; ss by #8709, eff 8-25-06 (formerly Rev 304.06)

 

Rev 304.06  Use of Special Industry Apportionment Provisions.

 

(a)  A business organization, which is not a member of a water’s edge combined group, may  elect to use one of the industry specific apportionment provisions in Rev 304.07 through Rev 304.11,  provided more than 50 % of the business organization’s:

 

(1)  Gross receipts for the taxable period are from sources relating to the industry identified by the rule; and

 

(2)  Total assets on the last day of the taxable period are commonly related to the industry identified by the rule.

 

(b)  A business organization, which is a member of a water’s edge combined group, may elect to use one of the industry specific apportionment provisions in Rev 304.07 through Rev 304.11 provided more than 50 % of the water’s edge combined group’s:

 

(1)  Gross receipts for the taxable period are from sources relating to the industry identified by the rule; and

 

(2)  Total assets on the last day of the taxable period are commonly related to the industry identified by the rule.

 

(c)  The business organization or group of business organizations electing to use the industry specific apportionment provisions contained in Rev 304.07 through Rev 304.11 shall continue to use the apportionment provisions until:

 

(1)  The department grants, in writing, a request made to the department to change the method used;

 

(2)  The principal business organization may request approval by the department to change the apportionment method used by submitting a written request to the department; and

 

(3)  The department approves of a change in the apportionment method upon a showing that the business organizations:

 

a.  No longer meets the requirements to use Special Industry Apportionment Provisions; or

 

b.  Circumstances have changed so that the use of Special Industry Apportionment Provisions no longer accurately reflects the business organization’s business activity in New Hampshire.

 

(d)  Unless otherwise indicated, the industry specific apportionment provision elected by the business organization shall apply in its’ entirety.

 

(e)  If further adjustments to the formula are necessary to accurately reflect  the business organization’s business activity in New Hampshire, the business organization may petition for, or the commissioner may require, modification under RSA 77-A:3, II.

 

Source.