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Technical Information Release

Technical Information Release  TIR 99-21: Availability of G.L. c 64H, §§ 6(r) and (s) Exemptions Extended to Purchases by Agents by Agents of Exempt Users

Date: 12/17/1999
Organization: Massachusetts Department of Revenue
Referenced Sources: Massachusetts General Laws

Sales and Use Tax

Pursuant to Hart and McGinley v. Commissioner of Revenue, Appellate Tax Board, Docket No. F233702 (1998) and Araserve, Inc. v. Commissioner of Revenue, Appellate Tax Board, Docket No. 223264 (1998), purchases of tangible personal property by a party on behalf of an entity exempt from tax pursuant to G.L. c. 64H, § 6(d) and § 6(e), are exempt from tax if the purchaser is acting as the agent of the exempt entity. See also TIR 99-4.


This TIR announces that the Department will look to Massachusetts law when determining if a purchaser is an agent of an exempt user. If, based on Massachusetts law regarding agency, the Department finds that an agency relationship exists, the Department will extend the exemptions set forth in G.L. c. 64H, §§ 6(r) and (s) to purchases made by agents of exempt users.

Thus, sales of materials, tools and fuel, or any substitute therefor, when consumed and used for the purposes and in the manner indicated by § 6(r), are exempt from sales and use tax if the purchaser is acting as the agent of the user that will consume or use the materials, tools and fuel, or substitute.

Sales of machinery, or replacement parts thereof, when used directly and exclusively for the purposes and in the manner indicated by § 6(s), are exempt from sales and use tax if the purchaser is acting as the agent of the exempt user of the machinery or replacement parts.

This TIR supersedes any previously announced position by the Department to the extent that such position is inconsistent with this TIR. This TIR is retroactive with respect to all open tax periods. See 830 CMR 62C.3.1(7)(f).


Frederick A. Laskey,
Commissioner of Revenue

December 17, 1999
TIR 99-21

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