Title: Aviation Fuel Taxes

Summary: Revising eligibility criteria for wholesalers and terminal suppliers to receive refunds or credits of previously paid excise taxes; providing for future repeal; revising the rate of the excise tax on certain aviation fuels, etc.

Full Text:
An act relating to aviation fuel taxes; amending s. 206.9825, F.S.; revising eligibility criteria for wholesalers and terminal suppliers to receive refunds or credits of previously paid excise taxes; providing for future repeal; revising the rate of the excise tax on certain aviation fuels; providing effective dates. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 206.9825, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 206.9825 Aviation fuel tax.  (1) (b) Any licensed wholesaler or terminal supplier that delivers aviation fuel to an air carrier offering transcontinental jet service and that, after January 1, 1996, but before July 1, 2016, increases the air carrier s Florida workforce by more than 1000 percent and by or more full-time equivalent employee positions, may receive a credit or refund as the ultimate vendor of the aviation fuel for the 6.9 cents excise tax previously paid, provided that the air carrier has no facility for fueling highway vehicles from the tank in which the aviation fuel is stored. In calculating the new or additional Florida full-time equivalent employee positions, any full-time equivalent employee positions of parent or subsidiary corporations which existed before January 1, 1996, shall not be counted toward reaching the Florida employment increase thresholds. The refund allowed under this paragraph is in furtherance of the goals and policies of the State Comprehensive Plan set forth in s. 187.201(16)(a), (b)1., 2., (17)(a), (b)1., 4., (19)(a), (b)5., (21)(a), (b)1., 2., 4., 7., 9., and 12. Section 2. Effective July 1, 2019, section 206.9825, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act, is amended to read: 206.9825 Aviation fuel tax.  (1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this part, an excise tax of 4.27 6.9 cents per gallon of aviation fuel is imposed upon every gallon of aviation fuel sold in this state, or brought into this state for use, upon which such tax has not been paid or the payment thereof has not been lawfully assumed by some person handling the same in this state. Fuel taxed pursuant to this part is shall not be subject to the taxes imposed by ss. 206.41(1)(d), (e), and (f) and 206.87(1)(b), (c), and (d). (b) Any licensed wholesaler or terminal supplier that delivers aviation fuel to an air carrier offering transcontinental jet service and that, after January 1, 1996, but before July 1, 2016, increases the air carrier s Florida workforce by more than 1000 percent and by or more full-time equivalent employee positions, may receive a credit or refund as the ultimate vendor of the aviation fuel for the 6.9 cents excise tax previously paid, provided that the air carrier has no facility for fueling highway vehicles from the tank in which the aviation fuel is stored. In calculating the new or additional Florida full-time equivalent employee positions, any full-time equivalent employee positions of parent or subsidiary corporations which existed before January 1, 1996, shall not be counted toward reaching the Florida employment increase thresholds. The refund allowed under this paragraph is in furtherance of the goals and policies of the State Comprehensive Plan set forth in s. 187.201(16)(a), (b)1., 2., (17)(a), (b)1., 4., (19)(a), (b)5., (21)(a), (b)1., 2., 4., 7., 9., and 12. (c) If, before July 1, 2001, the number of full-time equivalent employee positions created or added to the air carrier s Florida workforce falls below 250, the exemption granted pursuant to this section shall not apply during the period in which the air carrier has fewer than the additional employees. (d) The exemption taken by credit or refund pursuant to paragraph (b) shall apply only under the terms and conditions set forth therein. If any part of that paragraph is judicially declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of any provisions taxing aviation fuel shall not be affected and all fuel exempted pursuant to paragraph (b) shall be subject to tax as if the exemption was never enacted. Every person benefiting from such exemption shall be liable for and make payment of all taxes for which a credit or refund was granted. (b) (e) 1. Sales of aviation fuel to, and exclusively used for flight training through a school of aeronautics or college of aviation by, a college based in this state which is a tax exempt organization under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a university based in this state are exempt from the tax imposed by this part if the college or university: a. Is accredited by or has applied for accreditation by the Aviation Accreditation Board International; and b. Offers a graduate program in aeronautical or aerospace engineering or offers flight training through a school of aeronautics or college of aviation. 2. A licensed wholesaler or terminal supplier that sells aviation fuel to a college or university qualified under this paragraph and that does not collect the aviation fuel tax from the college or university on such sale may receive an ultimate vendor credit for the 4.27-cent 6.9-cent excise tax previously paid on the aviation fuel delivered to such college or university. 3. A college or university qualified under this paragraph which purchases aviation fuel from a retail supplier, including a fixed-base operator, and pays the 4.27-cent 6.9-cent excise tax on the purchase may apply for and receive a refund of the aviation fuel tax paid. (2)(a) An excise tax of 4.27 6.9 cents per gallon is imposed on each gallon of kerosene in the same manner as prescribed for diesel fuel under ss. 206.87(2) and 206.872. (b) The exemptions provided by s. 206.874 shall apply to kerosene if the dyeing and marking requirements of s. 206.8741 are met. (c) Kerosene prepackaged in containers of gallons or less and labeled  Not for Use in a Motor Vehicle  is exempt from the taxes imposed by this part when sold for home heating and cooking. Packagers may qualify for a refund of taxes previously paid, as prescribed by the department. (d) Sales of kerosene in quantities of gallons or less by a person not licensed under this chapter who has no facilities for placing kerosene in the fuel supply system of a motor vehicle may qualify for a refund of taxes paid. Refunds of taxes paid shall be limited to sales for use in home heating or cooking and shall be documented as prescribed by the department. (3) An excise tax of 4.27 6.9 cents per gallon is imposed on each gallon of aviation gasoline in the manner prescribed by paragraph (2)(a). However, the exemptions allowed by paragraph (2)(b) do not apply to aviation gasoline. (4) Any licensed wholesaler or terminal supplier that delivers undyed kerosene to a residence for home heating or cooking may receive a credit or refund as the ultimate vendor of the kerosene for the 4.27-cent 6.9 cents excise tax previously paid. (5) Any licensed wholesaler or terminal supplier that delivers undyed kerosene to a retail dealer not licensed as a wholesaler or terminal supplier for sale as a home heating or cooking fuel may receive a credit or refund as the ultimate vendor of the kerosene for the 4.27-cent 6.9 cents excise tax previously paid, provided the retail dealer has no facility for fueling highway vehicles from the tank in which the kerosene is stored. (6) Any person who fails to meet the requirements of this section is subject to a backup tax as provided by s. 206.873. Section 3. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2016.