2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 77 - Taxation of forest croplands; real estate transfer fees; sales and use taxes; county, municipality, and special district sales and use taxes; managed forest land; economic development surcharge; local food and beverage tax; local rental car tax; premier resort area taxes; state rental vehicle fee; dry cleaning fees. › 77.54 - General exemptions.

77.54
General exemptions.
There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this subchapter:
(1)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property, and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c), and services the sales price from the sale of which, or the storage, use or other consumption of which, this state is prohibited from taxing under the constitution or laws of the United States or under the constitution of this state.
(2)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property or item under s. 77.52 (1) (b) that is used exclusively and directly by a manufacturer in manufacturing an article of tangible personal property or item or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c) that is destined for sale and that becomes an ingredient or component part of the article of tangible personal property or item or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c) destined for sale or is consumed or destroyed or loses its identity in manufacturing the article of tangible personal property or item or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c) destined for sale, except as provided in sub. (30) (a) 6.
(2m)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property or services that are used exclusively and directly by a manufacturer in manufacturing shoppers guides, newspapers, or periodicals and that become an ingredient or component of shoppers guides, newspapers, or periodicals or that are consumed or lose their identity in the manufacture of shoppers guides, newspapers, or periodicals, whether or not the shoppers guides, newspapers, or periodicals are transferred without charge to the recipient. In this subsection, “shoppers guides," “newspapers," and “periodicals" have the meanings under sub. (15). The exemption under this subsection does not apply to advertising supplements that are not newspapers.
(3)
(a)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tractors and machines, including accessories, attachments, and parts, lubricants, nonpowered equipment, and other tangible personal property, or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), that are used exclusively and directly, or are consumed or lose their identities, in the business of farming, including dairy farming, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, silviculture, beekeeping, and custom farming services, but excluding automobiles, trucks, and other motor vehicles for highway use; excluding personal property that is attached to, fastened to, connected to, or built into real property or that becomes an addition to, component of, or capital improvement of real property; and excluding tangible personal property, or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), used or consumed in the erection of buildings or in the alteration, repair, or improvement of real property, regardless of any contribution that that personal property, or item or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), makes to the production process in that building or real property and regardless of the extent to which that personal property, or item or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), functions as a machine, except as provided in par. (c).
(b)
In par. (a):
1.
“Building" has the meaning given under s. 70.111 (10) (a) 1.
2.
“Machine" means an assemblage of parts that transmits force, motion and energy from one part to another in a predetermined manner.
3.
“Used exclusively" means used to the exclusion of all other uses except for other use not exceeding 5 percent of total use.
(c)
For purposes of this subsection, the following items retain their character as tangible personal property, regardless of the extent to which they are fastened to, connected to or built into real property:
1.
Auxiliary power generators.
2.
Bale loaders.
3.
Barn cleaners and elevators.
4.
Conveyors.
5.
Feed elevators and augers.
6.
Grain dryers and grinders.
7.
Milk coolers.
8.
Milking machines; including piping, pipeline washers and compressors.
9.
Powered feeders, excluding platforms and troughs constructed from ordinary building materials.
10.
Silo unloaders.
(3m)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of the following items if they are used exclusively by the purchaser or user in the business of farming; including dairy farming, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, silviculture, beekeeping, and custom farming services:
(a)
Seeds for planting.
(b)
Plants.
(c)
Feed.
(d)
Fertilizer.
(e)
Soil conditioners.
(f)
Animal bedding.
(g)
Sprays, pesticides and fungicides.
(h)
Breeding and other livestock.
(hm)
Bees, beehives, and bee combs.
(i)
Poultry.
(j)
Farm work stock.
(k)
Baling twine and baling wire.
(L)
Containers for fruits, vegetables, bee products, grain, hay, silage, and animal wastes.
(m)
Plastic bags, plastic sleeves and plastic sheeting used to store or cover hay or silage.
(4)
The sales price from the sale of tangible personal property and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c) and the storage, use or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c), which is the subject of any such sale, by any elementary school or secondary school, exempted as such from payment of income or franchise tax under ch. 71, whether public or private.
(5)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption of:
(a)
1.
Aircraft, including accessories, attachments, and fuel for such aircraft, sold to persons using the aircraft as certified or licensed carriers of persons or property in interstate or foreign commerce under authority of the laws of the United States or any foreign government, or sold to any foreign government for use by such government outside this state.
2.
Aircraft, including attachments for such aircraft, sold to persons who are not residents of this state and who will not use such aircraft in this state otherwise than in the removal of such aircraft from this state or in the repair, service, alteration, fitting, cleaning, painting, coating, towing, inspection, and maintenance of such aircraft in this state.
3.
Parts used to modify or repair aircraft.
4.
Motor vehicles or truck bodies sold to persons who are not residents of this state and who will not use such motor vehicles or trucks for which the truck bodies were made in this state otherwise than in the removal of such motor vehicles or trucks from this state.
(am)
Modular homes, as defined in s. 101.71 (6), and manufactured homes, as defined in s. 101.91 (2), that are used in real property construction activities outside this state.
(b)
Motor trucks, truck tractors, road tractors, buses, trailers and semitrailers, and accessories, attachments, parts, supplies and materials therefor, sold to common or contract carriers who use such motor trucks, truck tractors, road tractors, buses, trailers and semitrailers exclusively as common or contract carriers, including the urban mass transportation of passengers as defined in s. 71.38.
(c)
Motor vehicles which are not required to be licensed for highway use and which are exclusively and directly used in conjunction with waste reduction or recycling activities which reduce the amount of solid waste generated, reuse solid waste, recycle solid waste, compost solid waste or recover energy from solid waste. For the purposes of this paragraph, “solid waste" means garbage, refuse, sludge or other materials or articles, whether these materials or articles are discarded or purchased, including solid, semisolid, liquid or contained gaseous materials or articles resulting from industrial, commercial, mining or agricultural operations or from domestic use or from public service activities.
(d)
Mobile units used for mixing and processing and the motor vehicle or trailer on which the unit is mounted, including accessories, attachments, parts, supplies and materials for those vehicles, trailers and units.
(6)
(am)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption of:
1.
Machines and specific processing equipment and repair parts or replacements thereof, exclusively and directly used by a manufacturer in manufacturing tangible personal property or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c) and safety attachments for those machines and equipment.
2.
Containers, labels, sacks, cans, boxes, drums, bags or other packaging and shipping materials for use in packing, packaging or shipping tangible personal property or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), if the containers, labels, sacks, cans, boxes, drums, bags, or other packaging and shipping materials are used by the purchaser to transfer merchandise to customers or physically transferred to the customer in conjunction with the selling, performing, or furnishing of the type of services under s. 77.52 (2) (a) 7., 10., 11., or 20. that are exempt from or not subject to taxation under this subchapter. This subdivision does not apply to services provided by veterinarians.
2m.
Meat casing, wrapping paper, tape, containers, labels, sacks, cans, boxes, drums, bags or other packaging and shipping materials for use in packing, packaging or shipping meat or meat products regardless of whether such items are used to transfer merchandise to customers.
3.
Fuel converted to electric energy, gas or steam by utilities and that portion of the amount of fuel converted to steam for purposes of resale by persons other than utilities.
4.
Machines and specific processing equipment used exclusively and directly in a fertilizer blending, feed milling, or grain drying operation, including holding structures used for weighing and dropping feed or fertilizer ingredients into a mixer, wet corn holding bins, grain dryers, mixers, conveying equipment, and grinding, mixing, and saturation bins, regardless of whether such items become an addition to, a component of, or a capital improvement of real property. The exemption under this subdivision applies to repair parts, replacements, and safety attachments for such machines and equipment.
5.
Building materials acquired solely for and used solely in the construction or repair of holding structures used for weighing and dropping feed or fertilizer ingredients into a mixer or for storage of grain, if such structures are used in a fertilizer blending, feed milling, or grain drying operation.
(bn)
The exemptions under par. (am) 4. and 5. apply only to items located on the same parcel of property where the fertilizer blending, feed milling, or grain drying operation activities are conducted, or on an adjoining parcel, including parcels that are separated only by a public road. The exemptions under par. (am) 4. and 5. apply only to persons who are primarily engaged in fertilizer blending, feed milling, or grain handling operations which include grain drying operations, or primarily engaged in any combination of fertilizer blending, feed milling, or grain handling operations which include grain drying operations, and to contractors providing real property construction activities to such persons.
(cn)
The exemptions under this subsection shall be strictly construed.
(7)
(a)
Except as provided in pars. (b) to (d), the occasional sales of tangible personal property, items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c), and services and the storage, use or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c) the transfer of which to the purchaser is an occasional sale.
(b)
If the item transferred is a motor vehicle, snowmobile, recreational vehicle, as defined in s. 340.01 (48r), trailer, semitrailer, all-terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, off-highway motorcycle, as defined in s. 23.335 (1) (q), or aircraft and the item is registered or titled, or required to be registered or titled, in this state or if the item is a boat that is registered or titled, or required to be registered or titled, in this state or under the laws of the United States, the exemption under par. (a) applies only if all of the following conditions are fulfilled:
1.
The item is transferred to a child, spouse, parent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law or son-in-law of the transferor or, if the item is a motor vehicle, from the transferor to a corporation owned solely by the transferor or by the transferor's spouse.
2.
The item has been registered or titled in the name of the transferor.
3.
The transferor is not engaged in the business of selling the type of item that is transferred.
(c)
The exemption under par. (a) does not apply to the sale of bingo supplies to players or to the sale, rental or use of regular bingo cards, extra regular cards and special bingo cards.
(d)
The exemption under par. (a) does not apply to sales by a nonprofit organization.
(7m)
Occasional sales of tangible personal property, or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), or services, including admissions or tickets to an event; by a neighborhood association, church, civic group, garden club, social club or similar nonprofit organization; not involving entertainment for which payment in the aggregate exceeds $50,000 for performing or as reimbursement of expenses unless access to the event may be obtained without payment of a direct or indirect admission fee; conducted by the organization if the organization is not engaged in a trade or business and is not required to have a seller's permit. For purposes of this subsection, an organization is engaged in a trade or business and is required to have a seller's permit if its sales of tangible personal property, and items, property, and goods under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), and (d), and services, not including sales of tickets to events, and its events occur on more than 75 days during the year, unless its taxable receipts do not exceed $50,000 during the year. The exemption under this subsection does not apply to the sales price from the sale of bingo supplies to players or to the sale, rental or use of regular bingo cards, extra regular cards and special bingo cards.
(8)
Charges for insurance, not including contracts under s. 77.52 (2) (a) 13m., where such charges are separately set forth upon the invoice given by the seller to the purchaser.
(9)
The sales price from sales of tickets or admissions to public and private elementary and secondary school activities, where the entire net proceeds therefrom are expended for educational, religious or charitable purposes.
(9a)
The sales price from sales to, and the storage by, use by or other consumption of tangible personal property, and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c), and taxable services by:
(a)
This state or any agency thereof, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and the Fox River Navigational System Authority.
(b)
Any county, city, village, town or school district in this state.
(c)
A county-city hospital established under s. 66.0927.
(d)
A sewerage commission organized under s. 281.43 (4) or a metropolitan sewerage district organized under ss. 200.01 to 200.15 or 200.21 to 200.65.
(e)
Any other unit of government in this state or any agency or instrumentality of one or more units of government in this state.
(ed)
Any federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state.
(em)
Any joint local water authority created under s. 66.0823.
(f)
Any corporation, community chest, fund, or foundation that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and has received a determination letter from the internal revenue service. The exemption under this paragraph applies to churches and religious organizations that meet the requirements of section 501 (c) (3) but are not required to apply for and obtain tax-exempt status from the internal revenue service.
(fc)
An entity described under section 501 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code and that is organized for the exclusive purpose of holding title to property, collecting income from that property, and turning over the entire amount of that income, less expenses, to an entity described under par. (f).
(g)
A local exposition district under subch. II of ch. 229.
(h)
A local cultural arts district under subch. V of ch. 229.
(i)
A cemetery company or corporation described under section 501 (c) (13) of the Internal Revenue Code, if the tangible personal property or taxable services are used exclusively by the cemetery company or corporation for the purposes of the company or corporation.
(9g)
The sales price from sales to, and the storage by, use by, or other consumption of products by a state veterans organization, as defined in s. 45.41 (1) (b), except products used primarily in preparing, storing, serving, selling, or delivering food and beverages sold by the organization. For purposes of this subsection, preparing, storing, serving, selling, or delivering food and beverages sold by the organization includes the cleaning of machinery and equipment before, during, and after the preparation of the food and beverages sold.
(9m)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property, or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), sold to a construction contractor that, in fulfillment of a real property construction activity, transfers the tangible personal property, or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), to an entity described under sub. (9a) (b), (c), (d), (em), (f), or (fc) or (9g), a technical college district, the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, an institution, as defined in s. 36.05 (9), a college campus, as defined in s. 36.05 (6m), or the University of Wisconsin-Extension, if such tangible personal property, or items or property, becomes a component of a facility in this state that is owned by the entity. In this subsection, “facility" means any building, shelter, parking lot, parking garage, athletic field, athletic park, storm sewer, water supply system, or sewerage and waste water treatment facility, but does not include a highway, street, or road.
(10)
The sales price from the sale of all admission fees, admission stickers or camping fees under s. 27.01 (7) to (11) and all admission fees to any museum operated by a nonprofit corporation under a lease agreement with the state historical society.
(11)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use or other consumption in this state of motor vehicle fuel, general aviation fuel or alternate fuel, subject to taxation under ch. 78, unless the motor vehicle fuel or alternate fuel tax is refunded under s. 78.75 because the buyer does not use the fuel in operating a motor vehicle upon the public highways.
(11m)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption of vegetable oil or animal fat that is converted into motor vehicle fuel that is exempt under s. 78.01 (2n) from the taxes imposed under s. 78.01 (1).
(12)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use or other consumption in this state of rail freight or passenger cars, locomotives or other rolling stock used in railroad operations, or accessories, attachments, parts, lubricants or fuel therefor.
(13)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use or other consumption in this state of commercial vessels and barges of 50-ton burden or over primarily engaged in interstate or foreign commerce or commercial fishing, and the accessories, attachments, parts and fuel therefor.
(14)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of drugs that are any of the following:
(a)
Prescribed for the treatment of a human being by a person authorized to prescribe the drugs, and dispensed on prescription filled by a pharmacist in accordance with law.
(b)
Furnished by a licensed physician, naturopathic doctor, surgeon, podiatrist, or dentist to a patient who is a human being for treatment of the patient.
(c)
Furnished by a hospital for treatment of any person pursuant to the order of a licensed physician, surgeon, podiatrist, or dentist.
(d)
Sold to a licensed physician, naturopathic doctor, surgeon, podiatrist, dentist, or hospital for the treatment of a human being.
(e)
Sold to this state or any political subdivision or municipal corporation thereof, for use in the treatment of a human being.
(em)
Furnished for the treatment of a human being by a medical facility or clinic maintained by this state or any political subdivision or municipal corporation thereof.
(f)
Furnished without charge to any of the following if the drug may not be dispensed without a prescription:
1.
A physician.
2.
A surgeon.
3.
A nurse anesthetist.
4.
An advanced practice nurse.
5.
An osteopath.
6.
A dentist who is licensed under ch. 447.
7.
A podiatrist who is licensed under ch. 448.
8.
An optometrist who is licensed under ch. 449.
(14m)
For purposes of sub. (14), insulin furnished by a pharmacist to a person for treatment of diabetes as directed by a physician shall be deemed dispensed on prescription.
(14r)
For purposes of sub. (14) hospital has the meaning ascribed to it in s. 50.33 (2).
(15)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption of all newspapers, of periodicals sold by subscription and regularly issued at average intervals not exceeding 3 months, or issued at average intervals not exceeding 6 months by an educational association or corporation sales to which are exempt under sub. (9a) (f), of controlled circulation publications sold to commercial publishers for distribution without charge or mainly without charge or regularly distributed by or on behalf of publishers without charge or mainly without charge to the recipient and of shoppers guides which distribute no less than 48 issues in a 12-month period. In this subsection, “shoppers guide" means a community publication delivered, or attempted to be delivered, to most of the households in its coverage area without a required subscription fee, which advertises a broad range of products and services offered by several types of businesses and individuals. In this subsection, “controlled circulation publication" means a publication that has at least 24 pages, is issued at regular intervals not exceeding 3 months, that devotes not more than 75 percent of its pages to advertising and that is not conducted as an auxiliary to, and essentially for the advancement of, the main business or calling of the person that owns and controls it.
(16)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption of fire trucks and fire fighting equipment, including accessories, attachments, parts and supplies therefor, sold to volunteer fire departments.
(17)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use or other consumption of water, that is not food and food ingredient, when delivered through mains.
(18)
When the sale of a service or tangible personal property, or items, property, and goods under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), and (d), that was previously exempt or not taxable under this subchapter becomes taxable, and the service or tangible personal property, or item, property, or good under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), or (d) is furnished under a written contract by which the seller is unconditionally obligated to provide the service or tangible personal property, or item, property, or good under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), or (d) for the amount fixed under the contract, the seller is exempt from sales or use tax on the sales price for services or tangible personal property, or items, property, or goods under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), or (d) provided until the contract is terminated, extended, renewed or modified. However, from the time the service or tangible personal property, or item, property, or good under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), or (d) becomes taxable until the contract is terminated, extended, renewed or modified the user is subject to use tax, measured by the purchase price, on the service or tangible personal property, or item, property, or good under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), or (d) purchased under the contract.
(20n)
(a)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of food and food ingredients, except candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements, and prepared food.
(b)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of food and food ingredients, except soft drinks, sold by hospitals, sanatoriums, nursing homes, retirement homes, and community-based residential facilities, as defined in s. 50.01 (1g), and any facility certified or licensed under ch. 48, including prepared food that is sold to the elderly or handicapped by persons providing mobile meals on wheels. In this paragraph, “retirement home" means a nonprofit residential facility where 3 or more unrelated adults or their spouses have their principal residence and where support services, including meals from a common kitchen, are available to residents.
(c)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of food and food ingredients, furnished in accordance with any contract or agreement or paid for to such institution through the use of an account of such institution, by a public or private institution of higher education to any of the following:
1.
An undergraduate student, a graduate student, or a student enrolled in a professional school if the student is enrolled for credit at the public or private institution of higher education and if the food and food ingredients are consumed by the student.
2.
A national football league team.
(d)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of prepared food that is sold by a retailer and that meets all of the following conditions:
1.
The prepared food is not candy, soft drinks, or dietary supplements.
2.
The retailer manufactures the prepared food on real property assessed as manufacturing property under s. 70.995, or that would be assessed as manufacturing property under s. 70.995 if the real property was located in this state.
3.
The retailer makes no retail sales of prepared food at the location described in subd. 2.
4.
Any of the following applies:
a.
The retailer freezes the prepared food prior to its sale and sells the prepared food at retail in a frozen state, and the prepared food is not sold with eating utensils that are provided by the retailer, as described in s. 77.51 (10m) (a) 3.
b.
The prepared food consists of more than 50 percent yogurt.
(20r)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption of candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements, and prepared foods, and disposable products that are transferred with such items, furnished for no consideration by a restaurant to the restaurant's employee during the employee's work hours.
(21)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use or other consumption of caskets and burial vaults for human remains.
(22b)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of durable medical equipment that is for use in a person's home, mobility-enhancing equipment, and prosthetic devices, and accessories for such equipment or devices, if the equipment or devices are used for a human being.
(23m)
The sales price from the sale of or the storage, use or other consumption of motion picture film or tape, and motion pictures or radio or television programs for listening, viewing, or broadcast, and advertising materials related thereto, sold to a motion picture theater or radio or television station.
(23n)
The sales price from the sales of tangible personal property and property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) to, and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property and property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) by, a person who is licensed to operate a commercial radio or television station in this state, if the tangible personal property or property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) is used exclusively and directly in, or is fuel or electricity consumed in, the origination or integration of various sources of program material for commercial radio or television transmissions that are generally available to the public free of charge without a subscription or service agreement. This subsection applies to vehicles licensed for highway use and equipment used to transmit or receive signals from a satellite.
(25)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage of printed material which is designed to advertise and promote the sale of merchandise, or to advertise the services of individual business firms, which printed material is purchased and stored for the purpose of subsequently transporting it outside the state by the purchaser for use thereafter solely outside the state. This subsection does not apply to catalogs and the envelopes in which the catalogs are mailed.
(25m)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of catalogs, and the envelopes in which the catalogs are mailed, that are designed to advertise and promote the sale of merchandise or to advertise the services of individual business firms.
(26)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c) which becomes a component part of an industrial waste treatment facility that is exempt under s. 70.11 (21) or that would be exempt under s. 70.11 (21) if the property were taxable under ch. 70, or tangible personal property and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c) which becomes a component part of a waste treatment facility of this state or any agency thereof, or any political subdivision of the state or agency thereof as provided in s. 40.02 (28). The exemption includes replacement parts therefor, and also applies to chemicals and supplies used or consumed in operating a waste treatment facility and to purchases of tangible personal property and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c) made by construction contractors who transfer such property to their customers in fulfillment of a real property construction activity. This exemption does not apply to tangible personal property and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c) installed in fulfillment of a written construction contract entered into, or a formal written bid made, prior to July 31, 1975.
(26m)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption of waste reduction or recycling machinery and equipment, including parts therefor, exclusively and directly used for waste reduction or recycling activities which reduce the amount of solid waste generated, reuse solid waste, recycle solid waste, compost solid waste or recover energy from solid waste. The exemption applies even though an economically useful end product results from the use of the machinery and equipment. For the purposes of this subsection, “solid waste" means garbage, refuse, sludge or other materials or articles, whether these materials or articles are discarded or purchased, including solid, semisolid, liquid or contained gaseous materials or articles resulting from industrial, commercial, mining or agricultural operations or from domestic use or from public service activities.
(27)
The sales price from the sale of semen used for artificial insemination of livestock.
(28)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption to or by the ultimate consumer of supplies used to determine blood sugar level.
(29)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use or other consumption of equipment used in the production of maple syrup.
(30)
(a)
The sales price from the sale of:
1.
Coal, fuel oil, propane, steam, peat, fuel cubes produced from solid waste and wood used for fuel sold for residential use.
1m.
Biomass, as defined in s. 196.378 (1) (ar), that is used for fuel sold for residential use.
2.
Electricity and natural gas sold during the months of November, December, January, February, March and April for residential use.
3.
Electricity sold for use in farming, including agriculture, dairy farming, floriculture, silviculture, horticulture, and beekeeping.
4.
Any residue that is used as fuel in a business activity and that results from the harvesting of timber or the production of wood products, including slash, sawdust, shavings, edgings, slabs, leaves, wood chips, bark and wood pellets manufactured primarily from wood or primarily from wood residue.
5.
Fuel sold for use in farming, including agriculture, dairy farming, floriculture, silviculture, horticulture, and beekeeping.
6.
Fuel and electricity consumed in manufacturing tangible personal property, or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), in this state.
7.
Fuel sold for use in motorboats that are regularly employed in carrying persons for hire for sport fishing in and upon the outlying waters, as defined in s. 29.001 (63), and the rivers and tributaries specified in s. 29.2285 (2) (a) 1. and 2., if the owner and all operators are licensed under s. 29.514 to operate the boat for that purpose.
(b)
For purposes of this subsection, electricity or natural gas is considered sold at the time of billing. If the billing is by mail, the time of billing is the day on which the billing is mailed.
(c)
If fuel or electricity is sold partly for a use exempt under this subsection and partly for a use which is not exempt under this subsection, no tax shall be collected on that percentage of the sales price equal to the percentage of the fuel or electricity which is used for an exempt use, as specified in an exemption certificate provided by the purchaser to the seller.
(d)
In this subsection “ residential use" means use in a structure or portion of a structure which is a person's permanent residence, but does not include use in transient accommodations, as specified in s. 77.52 (2) (a) 1., motor homes, travel trailers or other recreational vehicles.
(e)
For purposes of this subsection, a seller of electricity or natural gas is not required to comply with the requirement of obtaining exemption certificates under s. 77.52 (13) for sales of electricity or natural gas to accounts not covered by par. (c) which are properly classified as residential or farms pursuant to schedules which are filed for rate tariff purposes with the public service commission under s. 196.19 and which are in force at the time of the sales or are properly so classified for classification purposes as directed by the federal rural electrification administration. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to broaden the exemption specified in par. (a).
(f)
Sellers of coal, fuel oil, propane, steam, peat, fuel cubes produced from solid waste and wood used for fuel shall not be required to obtain an exemption certificate under s. 77.52 (13) from a purchaser if all the fuel sold is for residential use and the seller maintains adequate records to identify which sales are exempt.
(31)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption in this state, but not the lease or rental, of used mobile homes, as defined in s. 101.91 (10), and used manufactured homes, as defined in s. 101.91 (12).
(32)
The sales price from charges, including charges for a search, imposed by an authority, as defined in s. 19.32 (1), for copies of a public record that a person may examine and use under s. 16.61 (12) or for copies of a record under s. 19.35 (1).
(33)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of drugs used on farm livestock, not including workstock, or on bees.
(35)
The sales price from the sales of tangible personal property, or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), tickets, or admissions by any baseball team affiliated with the Wisconsin Department of American Legion baseball.
(36)
The sales price from the rental for a continuous period of one month or more of a mobile home, as defined in s. 101.91 (10), or a manufactured home, as defined in s. 101.91 (2), that is used as a residence. In this subsection, “one month" means a calendar month or 30 days, whichever is less, counting the first day of the rental and not counting the last day of the rental.
(37)
The sales price from revenues collected under s. 256.35 (3).
(38)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption of snowmobile trail groomers and attachments for them that are purchased, stored, used or consumed by a snowmobile club that meets at least 3 times a year, that has at least 10 members, that promotes snowmobiling and that participates in the department of natural resources' snowmobile program under s. 350.12 (4) (b).
(39)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption of off-highway, heavy mechanical equipment such as feller bunchers, slashers, delimbers, chippers, hydraulic loaders, loaders, skidder-forwarders, skidders, timber wagons and tractors used exclusively and directly in the harvesting or processing of raw timber products in the field by a person in the logging business. In this subsection, “heavy mechanical equipment" does not include hand tools such as axes, chains, chain saws and wedges.
(41)
The sales price from the sale of building materials, supplies and equipment to; and the storage, use or other consumption of those kinds of property by; owners, contractors, subcontractors or builders if that property is acquired solely for or used solely in, the construction, renovation or development of property that would be exempt under s. 70.11 (36).
(42)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption of animal identification tags provided under s. 93.06 (1h) and standard samples provided under s. 93.06 (1s).
(43)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use or other consumption of raw materials used for the processing, fabricating or manufacturing of, or the attaching to or incorporating into, printed materials that are transported and used solely outside this state.
(44)
The sales price from the collection of low-income assistance fees that are charged under s. 16.957 (4) (a) or (5) (a).
(45)
The sales price from the sale of and the use or other consumption of a onetime license or similar right to purchase admission to professional football games at a football stadium, as defined in s. 229.821 (6), that is granted by a municipality; a local professional football stadium district; or a professional football team or related party, as defined in s. 229.821 (12); if the person who buys the license or right is entitled, at the time the license or right is transferred to the person, to purchase admission to at least 3 professional football games in this state during one football season.
(46)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of the U.S. flag or the state flag. This subsection does not apply to a representation of the U.S. flag or the state flag.
(46m)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of telecommunications services, if the telecommunications services are obtained by using the rights to purchase telecommunications services, including purchasing reauthorization numbers, by paying in advance and by using an access number and authorization code; and if the tax imposed under s. 77.52 or 77.53 was previously paid on the sale or purchase of such rights.
(47)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of all of the following:
(a)
Live game birds and clay pigeons that are sold to bird hunting preserves licensed under s. 169.19.
(b)
Clay pigeons that are sold to a shooting facility, if any of the following applies:
1.
The shooting facility is required to pay the tax imposed under s. 77.52 on the sales price from charges for shooting at the facility.
2.
The shooting facility is a nonprofit organization that charges for shooting at the facility, but is not required to pay the tax imposed under s. 77.52 on its sales price from such charges because the charges are for occasional sales, as provided under sub. (7m), or because the charges satisfy the exemption under s. 77.52 (2) (a) 2. b.
(49)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of taxable services and tangible personal property or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), that are physically transferred to the purchaser as a necessary part of services that are subject to the taxes imposed under s. 77.52 (2) (a) 7., 10., 11., and 20., if the seller and the purchaser of such services and property or item are members of the same affiliated group under section 1504 of the Internal Revenue Code and are eligible to file a single consolidated return for federal income tax purposes. For purposes of this subsection, if a seller purchases a taxable service, or item or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), or tangible personal property, as described in this subsection, that is subsequently sold to a member of the seller's affiliated group and the sale is exempt under this subsection from the taxes imposed under this subchapter, the original purchase of the taxable service, or item or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), or tangible personal property by the seller is not considered a sale for resale or exempt under this subsection.
(50)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of specified digital goods or additional digital goods, if the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of such goods sold in a tangible form is exempt from, or not subject to, taxation under this subchapter.
(51)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption of products sold in a transaction that would be a bundled transaction, except that it contains taxable and nontaxable products as described in s. 77.51 (1f) (d), and except that the first person combining the products shall pay the tax imposed under this subchapter on the person's purchase price of the taxable items.
(52)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption of products sold in a transaction that would be a bundled transaction, except that the transaction meets the conditions described in s. 77.51 (1f) (e).
(54)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property, and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c), and taxable services that are sold by a home exchange service that receives moneys from the appropriation account under s. 20.485 (1) (g) and is operated by the department of veterans affairs.
(55)
The sales price from the 911 fee imposed under s. 196.025 (6).
NOTE: Sub. (55) is shown as amended eff. 7-1-24 by 2023 Wis. Act 19. Prior to 7-1-24 it reads:
(56)
(a)
Beginning July 1, 2011, the sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of a product whose power source is wind energy, direct radiant energy received from the sun, or gas generated from anaerobic digestion of animal manure and other agricultural waste, if the product produces at least 200 watts of alternating current or 600 British thermal units per day, except that the exemption under this subsection does not apply to an uninterruptible power source that is designed primarily for computers.
(b)
Except for the sale of electricity or energy that is exempt from taxation under sub. (30), beginning on July 1, 2011, the sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of electricity or energy produced by a product described under par. (a).
(57)
(a)
In this subsection:
1d.
“Animals" include bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
2.
“Machinery" has the meaning given in s. 70.11 (27) (a) 2.
5.
“Qualified research" has the meaning given in sub. (57d) (a) 4.
6.
“Used exclusively" has the meaning given in sub. (3) (b) 3.
(b)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of all of the following:
3.
Machines and specific processing equipment, including accessories, attachments, and parts for the machines or equipment, that are used exclusively and directly in raising animals that are sold primarily to a biotechnology business, a public or private institution of higher education, or a governmental unit for exclusive and direct use by any such entity in qualified research or manufacturing.
4.
The items listed in sub. (3m) (a) to (m), drugs, semen for artificial insemination, fuel, and electricity that are used exclusively and directly in raising animals that are sold primarily to a biotechnology business, a public or private institution of higher education, or a governmental unit for exclusive and direct use by any such entity in qualified research or manufacturing.
(57d)
(a)
In this subsection:
1.
“Building" has the meaning given in s. 70.111 (10) (a) 1.
2.
“Combined group" has the meaning given in s. 71.255 (1) (a).
3.
“Machinery" has the meaning given in s. 70.11 (27) (a) 2.
4.
“Qualified research" means qualified research as defined under section 41 (d) (1) of the Internal Revenue Code, except that it includes qualified research that is funded by a member of a combined group for another member of a combined group.
5.
“Used exclusively" has the meaning given in sub. (3) (b) 3.
(b)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of machinery and equipment, including attachments, parts, and accessories, and other tangible personal property or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c) that are sold to any of the following and that are consumed or destroyed or lose their identities while being used exclusively and directly in qualified research:
1.
A person engaged in manufacturing in this state on real property assessed under s. 70.995.
2.
A person engaged primarily in biotechnology in this state.
3.
A combined group member who is conducting qualified research for another combined group member and that other combined group member is a person described under subd. 1. or 2.
(58)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of snowmaking and snow-grooming machines and equipment, including accessories, attachments, and parts for the machines and equipment and the fuel and electricity used to operate such machines and equipment, that are used exclusively and directly for snowmaking and snow grooming at ski hills, ski slopes, and ski trails.
(59)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption of advertising and promotional direct mail.
(60)
(b)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of products that are sold by a prime contractor as part of a construction contract, if the total sales price of all products is less than 10 percent of the total amount of the construction contract. Except as provided in par. (c), the prime contractor is the consumer of the products and shall pay the tax imposed under this subchapter on the products.
(bm)
1.
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of products that are sold by a subcontractor to a prime contractor, or to another subcontractor for eventual sale to the prime contractor, as part of a construction contract, if any of the following applies:
a.
The total sales price of all products is less than 10 percent of the total amount of the construction contract.
b.
The products will be sold by the prime contractor as part of a construction contract, and that sale is exempt under par. (b).
2.
Except as provided in par. (c), the subcontractor is the consumer of the products exempted under this paragraph and shall pay the tax imposed under this subchapter on the products.
(c)
If the construction contract under par. (b) is between a prime contractor and an entity that is exempt from taxation under sub. (9a), all of the following apply:
1.
The prime contractor is the consumer of all products used by the prime contractor in real property construction activities, but the prime contractor may purchase without tax, for resale, products that are sold by the prime contractor to the entity as part of the construction contract and that are not consumed by the prime contractor in real property construction activities.
2.
A subcontractor of the prime contractor is the consumer of all products used by the subcontractor in real property construction activities, but the subcontractor may purchase without tax, for resale, products that are sold by the subcontractor to the prime contractor or another subcontractor, as part of the subcontractor's construction contract under par. (bm), for resale to the entity and that are not consumed by the subcontractor in real property construction activities.
(d)
In this subsection:
1.
“Construction contract" means a contract to perform real property construction activities and to provide products.
2.
“Prime contractor" means a contractor who enters into a construction contract with an owner or lessee of real property, except for leased property under s. 77.52 (1) (c), to perform real property construction activities on the real property.
3.
“Subcontractor" means a contractor who enters into a construction contract with a prime contractor or another subcontractor.
(61)
The sales price from the sale to, and the storage, use, or other consumption by, a person primarily engaged, as determined by the department, in commercial printing, book printing, or support activities for printing described under 323111, 323117, and 323120 of the North American Industry Classification System, of any of the following:
(a)
Computers and servers used primarily to store copies of the product that are sent to a digital printer, a platemaking machine, or a printing press or used primarily in prepress or postpress activities.
(b)
Tangible personal property purchased from out-of-state sellers that are temporarily stored, remain idle, and not used in this state and that are then delivered and used solely outside of this state.
(c)
In this subsection:
1.
“Postpress activities" include paper bronzing, die-cutting, edging, embossing, folding, gilding, gluing, and indexing.
2.
“Prepress activities" include making print-ready plates, typesetting, trade binding, and sample mounting.
3.
“Temporarily" means not more than 180 days.
(62)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of farm-raised deer, as defined in s. 95.001 (1) (ag), sold to a person who is operating a hunting preserve or game farm in this state.
(62m)
The sales price from the sale of building materials, supplies, and equipment and the sale of services described in s. 77.52 (2) (a) 20. to; and the storage, use, or other consumption of the same property and services by; owners, lessees, contractors, subcontractors, or builders if that property or service is acquired solely for or used solely in, the construction or development of sports and entertainment arena facilities, as defined in s. 229.41 (11g), but not later than one year after the secretary of administration issues the certification under s. 229.42 (4e) (d).
(63)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of music sold in a tangible form to a person in the business of providing a taxable service through a jukebox if the music is used exclusively for the jukebox. For purposes of this subsection, music sold in a tangible form is a separate sale from the jukebox through which the music is played if the sales price of such property is separately indicated from the sales price of the jukebox on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar document that the seller gives to the purchaser.
(64)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of patient health care records that are sold to the patient or to a person that the patient authorizes to receive the records.
(65)
The sales price from the sale of building materials, supplies, and equipment and the sale of services described in s. 77.52 (2) (a) 20. to; and the storage, use, or other consumption of the same property and services by; owners, lessees, contractors, subcontractors, or builders if that property or service is acquired solely for or used solely in, the construction or development of facilities located in an electronics and information technology manufacturing zone designated under s. 238.396 (1m) and if the capital expenditures for the construction or development of such facilities may be claimed as a credit under s. 71.07 (3wm) (bm) or 71.28 (3wm) (bm), as certified by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
(65m)
(a)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of the following:
1.
A video or electronic game sold in a tangible form to a person in the business of providing a taxable service through an amusement device if the video or electronic game is used exclusively for the amusement device. For purposes of this subdivision, a video or electronic game sold in a tangible form is a separate sale from the amusement device through which the video or electronic game is played if the sales price of the video or electronic game is separately indicated from the sales price of the amusement device on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar document that the seller gives to the purchaser.
2.
Tangible personal property sold to a person in the business of providing a taxable service through an amusement device if the tangible personal property is used exclusively as a prize awarded or transferred through the use of the amusement device.
3.
Tournament or league entrance fees advertised and set aside as prize money.
(b)
For purposes of this subsection, “amusement device” means a single or multiplayer device, machine, or game played for amusement, the outcome of which depends at least in part on the skill, precision, dexterity, or knowledge of the person playing, but not predominantly on the element of chance. “Amusement device” includes a pinball machine, console machine, crane machine, claw machine, redemption game, stacker, arcade game, foosball or soccer table game, miniature racetrack or football machine, target or shooting gallery machine, basketball machine, shuffleboard table, kiddie ride game, Skee-Ball machine, air hockey machine, dart board, pool table, billiard table, or any other similar device, machine, or game. “Amusement device” does not include any device, machine, or game that is illegal to operate within this state.
(66)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of farm-raised fish, as defined in s. 95.001 (1) (ah), sold to a fish farm, as defined in s. 95.001 (1) (aj), that is registered with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 95.60 (3m), or to a person who holds a valid permit under s. 29.736 for the stocking of fish.
(67)
(a)
In this subsection:
1.
“Clothing" means any wearing apparel for humans that is suitable for general use, not including all of the following:
a.
Belt buckles sold separately.
b.
Costume masks sold separately.
c.
Patches and emblems sold separately.
d.
Sewing equipment and supplies, including knitting needles, patterns, pins, scissors, sewing machines, sewing needles, tape measures, and thimbles.
e.
Sewing materials that become part of clothing, including buttons, fabric, lace, thread, yarn, and zippers.
f.
Clothing accessories or equipment.
g.
Protective equipment.
h.
Sport or recreational equipment.
2.
“Clothing accessories or equipment" means incidental items worn on a person or in conjunction with clothing, not including clothing, protective equipment, or sport or recreational equipment, but including all of the following:
a.
Briefcases.
b.
Cosmetics.
c.
Hair notions, including barrettes, hair bows, and hairnets.
d.
Handbags.
e.
Handkerchiefs.
f.
Jewelry.
g.
Nonprescription sunglasses.
h.
Umbrellas.
i.
Wallets.
j.
Watches.
k.
Wigs.
L.
Hairpieces.
3.
“Computer” means a personal computer such as a laptop or desktop computer or a tablet, but not including a phone.
4.
“Eligible property” means an item that qualifies for exemption under this subsection.
5.
“Layaway sale” means a transaction in which property is set aside for future delivery to a customer who makes a deposit, agrees to pay the balance of the sales price over time, and, at the end of the payment period, receives the property. An order is accepted for layaway by the seller when the seller removes the property from inventory or clearly identifies the property as sold to the purchaser.
6.
“Protective equipment” means items for human wear that are designed to protect the wearer against injury or disease or to protect property or other persons from damage or injury. “Protective equipment” does not include items suitable for general use, clothing, clothing accessories or equipment, or sport or recreational equipment. “Protective equipment” includes:
a.
Breathing masks.
b.
Clean room apparel and equipment.
c.
Ear and hearing protectors.
d.
Face shields.
e.
Hard hats.
f.
Helmets.
g.
Paint or dust respirators.
h.
Protective gloves.
i.
Safety glasses and goggles.
j.
Safety belts.
k.
Tool belts.
L.
Welders gloves and masks.
7.
“Rain check” means a seller allowing a purchaser to purchase an item at a certain price at a later time because the item was out of stock.
8.
“School art supply” means any of the following items that are commonly used by a student in a course of study for artwork, but not including a school computer supply, school supply, or school instructional material:
a.
Clay and glazes.
b.
Acrylic, tempera, and oil paints.
c.
Paintbrushes.
d.
Sketch and drawing pads.
e.
Watercolors.
9.
“School computer supply" means any of the following items that are commonly used by a student in a course of study in which a computer is used, but not including a school art supply, school supply, or school instructional material:
a.
Computer storage media, diskettes, and compact discs.
b.
Handheld electronic schedulers, not including cellular phones.
c.
Personal digital assistants, not including cellular phones.
d.
Computer printers.
e.
Printer supplies for computers, printer paper, and printer ink.
10.
“School instructional material" means any of the following that is commonly used by a student in a course of study as a reference and to learn the subject being taught, but not including a school art supply, school computer supply, or school supply:
a.
Reference books.
b.
Reference maps and globes.
c.
Textbooks.
d.
Workbooks.
11.
“School supply" means any of the following items that are commonly used by a student in a course of study, but not including a school art supply, school computer supply, or school instructional material:
a.
Binders.
b.
Book bags.
c.
Calculators.
d.
Cellophane tape.
e.
Blackboard chalk.
f.
Compasses.
g.
Composition books.
h.
Crayons.
i.
Erasers.
j.
Folders.
k.
Glue, paste, and paste sticks.
L.
Highlighters.
m.
Index cards.
n.
Index card boxes.
o.
Legal pads.
p.
Lunch boxes.
q.
Markers.
r.
Notebooks.
s.
Loose-leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper.
t.
Pencil boxes and other school supply boxes.
u.
Pencil sharpeners.
v.
Pencils.
w.
Pens.
x.
Protractors.
y.
Rulers.
z.
Scissors.
za.
Writing tablets.
12.
“Sport or recreational equipment” means items designed for human use and worn in conjunction with an athletic or recreational activity. “Sport or recreational equipment” does not include items suitable for general use, clothing, clothing accessories or equipment, or protective equipment. “Sport or recreational equipment” includes:
a.
Ballet and tap shoes.
b.
Athletic shoes with cleats or spikes.
c.
Gloves.
d.
Goggles.
e.
Hand and elbow guards.
f.
Life preservers and vests.
g.
Mouth guards.
h.
Roller skates.
i.
Ice skates.
j.
Shin guards.
k.
Shoulder pads.
L.
Ski boots.
m.
Waders.
n.
Wetsuits and fins.
(b)
For the period beginning on the first in August and ending on the following Sunday, the sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of the following:
1.
Clothing, if the sales price of any single item is no more than $75.
2.
A computer purchased by the consumer for the consumer's personal use, if the sales price of the computer is no more than $750.
3.
School computer supplies purchased by the consumer for the consumer's personal use, if the sales price of any single item is no more than $250.
4.
School supplies, if the sales price of any single item is no more than $75.
(c)
The exemption under this subsection shall be administered as follows:
1.
A sale of eligible property under a layaway sale qualifies for exemption if either of the following applies:
a.
Final payment on a layaway order is made by, and the property is given to, the purchaser during the exemption period.
b.
The purchaser selects the property and the retailer accepts the order for the item during the exemption period, for immediate delivery upon full payment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period.
2.
The bundled transaction provisions under subs. (51) and (52) and ss. 77.51 (1f) and (3pf) and 77.52 (20), (21), (22), and (23) apply in the same manner during the exemption period under this subsection as they apply in other periods.
3.
A discount by the seller reduces the sales price of the property and the discounted sales price determines whether the sales price is within the price threshold in par. (b). A coupon that reduces the sales price is treated as a discount if the seller is not reimbursed for the coupon amount by a 3rd party. If a discount applies to the total amount paid by a purchaser rather than to the sales price of a particular item and the purchaser has purchased both eligible property and taxable property, the seller shall allocate the discount based on the total sales prices of the taxable property compared to the total sales prices of all property sold in that same transaction.
4.
Products that are normally sold as a single unit shall be sold in that manner and may not be divided into multiple units and sold as individual items in order to obtain the exemption under this subsection.
5.
Eligible property that is purchased during the exemption period with the use of a rain check qualifies for the exemption regardless of when the rain check was issued. Items purchased after the exemption period with the use of a rain check are not eligible property under this subsection even if the rain check was issued during the exemption period.
6.
The procedure for an exchange with regard to the exemption under this subsection is as follows:
a.
If a purchaser purchases an item of eligible property during the exemption period but later exchanges the item for a similar item of eligible property, even if different in size, color, or another feature, no additional tax is due even if the exchange is made after the exemption period.
b.
If a purchaser purchases an item of eligible property during the exemption period, but after the exemption period has ended, the purchaser returns the item and receives credit on the purchase of a different item, the appropriate sales tax is due on the sale of the different item.
c.
If a purchaser purchases an item of eligible property before the exemption period, but during the exemption period the purchaser returns the item and receives credit on the purchase of a different item of eligible property, no sales tax is due on the sale of the new item if the new item is purchased during the exemption period.
7.
Delivery charges, including shipping, handling, and service charges, are part of the sales price of eligible property. For the purpose of determining the price threshold under par. (b), if all the property in a shipment qualifies as eligible property and the sales price for each item in the shipment is within the price threshold under par. (b), the shipment is considered a sale of eligible property and the seller does not have to allocate the delivery, handling, or service charge to determine if the price threshold under par. (b) is exceeded. If the shipment includes eligible property and taxable property, including an item of eligible property with a sales price in excess of the price threshold, the seller shall allocate the delivery, handling, and service charge by using one of the following methods and shall apply the tax to the percentage of the delivery, handling, and service charge allocated to the taxable property:
a.
A percentage based on the total sales price of the taxable property compared to the total sales price of all property in the shipment.
b.
A percentage based on the total weight of the taxable property compared to the total weight of all property in the shipment.
8.
Eligible property qualifies for exemption under this subsection if either of the following applies:
a.
The item is both delivered to and paid for by the customer during the exemption period.
b.
The purchaser orders and pays for the item and the seller accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period. For purposes of this subd. 8. b., the seller accepts an order when the seller has taken action to fill the order for immediate shipment. Actions to fill an order include placement of an in-date stamp on a mail order or assignment of an order number to a telephone order. For purposes of this subd. 8. b., an order is for immediate shipment when the customer does not request delayed shipment and regardless of whether the shipment is delayed because of a backlog of orders or because stock is currently unavailable, or on back order, by the seller.
9.
For a 60-day period immediately after the exemption period under this subsection, when a purchaser returns an item that would qualify for the exemption, no credit for or refund of sales tax shall be given unless the purchaser provides a receipt or invoice that shows tax was paid or the seller has sufficient documentation to show that tax was paid on the specific item.
10.
The time zone of the seller's location determines the authorized period for the exemption under this subsection when the retailer and purchaser are located in different time zones.
(d)
This subsection does not apply in 2019 or in any year thereafter.
(68)
(a)
The sales price from the sale of and the use or other consumption of a service provided by an electric cooperative to another electric cooperative, or by a telecommunications utility to another telecommunications utility, for disaster relief work performed during a disaster period.
(b)
In this subsection:
2.
“Disaster period" means the time that begins 10 days before a state of emergency and ends 60 days after the state of emergency ends.
3.
“Disaster relief work" means work, including repairing, renovating, installing, building, or performing other services or activities, relating to infrastructure in this state that has been damaged, impaired, or destroyed in connection with a state of emergency.
4.
“Electric cooperative” has the meaning given in s. 76.48 (1g) (c).
4m.
“State of emergency” means the time when an electric cooperative wishing to receive services from another electric cooperative or a telecommunications utility wishing to receive services from another telecommunications utility invokes a mutual aid agreement and at least 20 percent of the electrical or telecommunications system is nonoperational.
5.
“Telecommunications utility” has the meaning given in s. 196.01 (10).
(69)
(a)
The sales price from the sale of tangible personal property that is stored in this state for not more than 120 days, if the property is to be used in fulfillment of a real property construction activity that occurs solely outside of this state at a nonprofit organization, a public school district, or a business district where business tax incentives have been granted and is used by a person engaged in an activity classified as construction under sector 23 of the North American Industry Classification System, 2017 edition, published by the federal office of management and budget, including property that is altered by converting, fabricating, manufacturing, printing, processing, or shaping before its use outside of this state.
(b)
The exemption under this subsection does not apply to tangible personal property that is stored in this state, leaves this state, and then is subsequently returned to this state.
(70)
(a)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property, regardless of whether the property is affixed to or incorporated into real property, and property under s. 77.52 (1) (c), used exclusively for the development, construction, renovation, expansion, replacement, repair, or operation of a qualified data center, as defined in s. 238.40 (1) (b), and used solely at the qualified data center, including computer server equipment and the chassis for such equipment; networking equipment; switches; racks; fiber-optic cabling, copper cabling, and other cabling, including cabling used to connect one or more qualified data centers; trays; conduit; substations; uninterruptible energy equipment; supplies; fuel piping and storage; duct banks; switches; switchboards; batteries; testing equipment; backup generation equipment; modular data centers and preassembled components; monitoring equipment; security systems; and electricity.
(b)
The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property or property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) used in the development, construction, renovation, expansion, replacement, or repair of a water cooling or conservation system used exclusively to cool or conserve water for one or more qualified data centers, as defined in s. 238.40 (1) (b), including chillers, mechanical equipment, refrigerant piping, fuel piping and storage, adiabatic and free cooling systems, cooling towers, water softeners, air handling units, indoor direct exchange units, fans, ducting, and filters.
(c)
The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property or property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) sold to a construction contractor that, in fulfillment of a real property construction activity, transfers the tangible personal property or property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) to a qualified data center, as defined in s. 238.40 (1) (b), if such tangible personal property or property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) becomes a component of the qualified data center.
History:  1971 c. 64, 154, 215, 311; 1973 c. 90, 156, 240; 1975 c. 39, 96, 102, 146, 200; 1977 c. 29; 1977 c. 83 ss. 13, 26; 1977 c. 250, 368, 418; 1979 c. 1, 34, 87, 174; 1981 c. 20; 1981 c. 79 s. 18; 1981 c. 96 s. 67; 1981 c. 264; 1981 c. 282 s. 47; 1981 c. 317; 1983 a. 27 ss. 1284d to 1284np, 2202 (38); 1983 a. 189 ss. 101, 106, 329 (5), (12), (13); 1983 a. 192, 287, 405, 426, 498, 510, 538, 544; 1985 a. 29, 149, 332; 1987 a. 27; 1987 a. 312 s. 17; 1987 a. 399; 1989 a. 31, 238, 270, 335, 359; 1991 a. 37, 39, 269, 316; 1993 a. 16, 263, 332; 1995 a. 27, 125, 225, 227; 1997 a. 27, 35, 41, 184, 237, 291; 1999 a. 9, 65, 83; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 1999 a. 167; 2001 a. 16, 103, 109; 2003 a. 99, 128; 2005 a. 25, 74, 141, 149, 335, 366, 479; 2007 a. 11, 19, 20, 97, 130; 2009 a. 2, 28, 185, 204, 330; 2011 a. 7, 10, 32, 208, 260; 2013 a. 20, 145, 185, 324, 346; 2015 a. 55, 60, 126, 216, 251, 364; 2017 a. 17, 58, 59, 190, 231, 290; 2017 a. 364 ss. 20, 48; 2017 a. 365 s. 111; 2017 a. 366 s. 99; 2017 a. 367; 2019 a. 181; 2021 a. 1, 130, 167; 2021 a. 238 ss. 17, 45; 2023 a. 12, 19.
A taxpayer in the business of processing scrap metal is engaged in manufacturing under s. 77.51 (27) [now sub. (6m)]. H. Samuels Co. v. DOR, 70 Wis. 2d 1076, 236 N.W.2d 250 (1975).
A carrier's contract status is established under the “primary business test" if the carrier's primary occupation is the supplying of transportation for compensation, even though the operator owns the goods at the time of transport and carries them for the purpose of sale. If, however, the operator's primary business is manufacturing or another noncarrier commercial enterprise, a determination must be made as to whether the motor operations are in furtherance of the primary business or are conducted as a related enterprise with the purpose of profiting from the transportation. Gensler v. DOR, 70 Wis. 2d 1108, 236 N.W.2d 648 (1975).
The sale of a supper club's furnishings and equipment was an “occasional sale" under sub. (7). Three Lions Supper Club, Ltd. v. DOR, 72 Wis. 2d 546, 241 N.W.2d 190 (1976).
Consumption of gas at interstate pipeline compressor stations in Wisconsin is protected from state use tax by the commerce clause. Midwestern Gas Transmission Co. v. DOR, 84 Wis. 2d 261, 267 N.W.2d 253 (1978).
To satisfy s. 77.51 (27) [now sub. (7h)], a change in name must be attributable to a change in the nature, purpose, and function of the article. DOR v. Bailey-Bohrman Steel Corp., 93 Wis. 2d 602, 287 N.W.2d 715 (1980).
Semitrailers are “truck bodies" under sub. (5) (a). DOR v. Trudell Trailer Sales, Inc., 104 Wis. 2d 39, 310 N.W.2d 612 (1981).
A vending machine company, which placed machines in schools and hospitals, was the “seller" of the products dispensed by its machines. Servomation Corp. v. DOR, 106 Wis. 2d 616, 317 N.W.2d 464 (1982).
Under the “use or function" test, a greenhouse was a “machine" used in floriculture under sub. (3). DOR v. Greiling, 112 Wis. 2d 602, 334 N.W.2d 118 (1983).
The exemption under sub. (9a) (f) is limited to services used by tax-exempt organizations and does not extend to services by those foundations. DOR v. EAA Aviation Foundation, Inc., 143 Wis. 2d 681, 422 N.W.2d 458 (Ct. App. 1988).
Calf hutches are not “machines" exempt from sales tax under sub. (3). L.T. Hampel Corp. v. DOR, 157 Wis. 2d 422, 459 N.W.2d 598 (Ct. App. 1990).
Motor vehicles and machinery used with motor vehicles are not used “directly" in recycling activities and are not exempt under sub. (26m). DOR v. Parks-Pioneer Corp., 170 Wis. 2d 44, 487 N.W.2d 63 (Ct. App. 1992).
The exemption for occasional sales under sub. (7) cannot apply to a seller who continues to make sales in a business after the business was sold and surrender of the sales tax permit was attempted. Carrion Corp. v. DOR, 179 Wis. 2d 254, 507 N.W.2d 356 (Ct. App. 1993).
“Merchandise" as used in sub. (6) (b) denotes commodities that are bought and sold. Luetzow Industries v. DOR, 197 Wis. 2d 916, 541 N.W.2d 810 (Ct. App. 1995).
A Mississippi River excursion boat that embarked from a Wisconsin port, crossed into out-of-state water without landing in that state, then disembarked in Wisconsin was not engaged in “interstate commerce" under sub. (13). LaCrosse Queen, Inc. v. DOR, 208 Wis. 2d 439, 561 N.W.2d 686 (1997), 95-2754.
Newspaper carriers were found not to be customers of a publisher. The sub. (6) (b) exemption for packing material was not applicable to materials used to package newspapers for delivery to the carriers. Madison Newspapers, Inc. v. DOR, 228 Wis. 2d 745, 599 N.W.2d 51 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-2980.
A corporation is a “resident of this state" under sub. (5) (a) if it is domiciled in Wisconsin and incorporated under the laws of this state. DOR v. Johnson Welding & Manufacturing Co., 2000 WI App 179, 238 Wis. 2d 243, 617 N.W.2d 193, 99-2429.
While the direct purchase of an aircraft repair or maintenance service or of an aircraft part may qualify for a sales tax exemption under sub. (5) (a) 3. or s. 77.52 (2) (a) 10., leases are not exempt from sales tax under the statutes. Sales tax applies to the total amount paid on an aircraft lease without any deduction for the portions of a lease attributed to aircraft maintenance or engine maintenance, which are the costs and expenses of running an aircraft leasing business. A lessor cannot avoid taxation by dividing up its lease price into categories and affixing labels. Citation Partners, LLC v. DOR, 2021 WI App 86, 400 Wis. 2d 260, 968 N.W.2d 734, 20-1683.