Iowa Admin. Code r. 701—212.13(423) — Fees paid to cities and counties for the privilege of participating in any athletic sport

A “sport” is any activity or experience that involves some movement of the human body and gives enjoyment or recreation. An “athletic” sport is any sport that requires physical strength, skill, speed, or training in its performance. The following activities are nonexclusive examples of athletic sports: baseball, football, basketball, softball, volleyball, golf, tennis, racquetball, swimming, wrestling, and foot racing. 212.13(1) The following is a list of various fees that would be considered fees paid to a city or county for the privilege of participating in any athletic sport, and thus subject to tax under this rule. The list is not exhaustive. a. Fees paid for the privilege of using any facility specifically designed for use by those playing an athletic sport: fees for use of a golf course, ball diamond, tennis court, swimming pool, or ice skating rink are subject to tax. These fees are subject to tax whether they allow use of the facility for a brief or extended period of time, e.g., a daily fee or season ticket for use of a swimming pool or golf course would be subject to tax. Group rental of facilities designed for playing an athletic sport would also be subject to tax. b. Fees paid to enter any tournament or league that involves playing an athletic sport would be subject to tax. Both team and individual entry fees are taxable. Fees paid to enter any marathon or foot race of shorter duration would be subject to tax under this rule. 212.13(2) Not subject to tax as fees paid to a city or county for the privilege of participating in any athletic sport under this rule are the following charges. The list is not intended to be exhaustive. a. Fees paid for lesson or instruction in how to play or to improve one’s ability to play an athletic sport are not subject to tax. Golf and swimming lesson fees are specific examples of such nontaxable charges. The fees are excluded from tax regardless of whether the person receiving the instruction is a child or an adult. Fees charged for equipment rental, regardless of whether this equipment is helpful or necessary to participation in an athletic sport, are not subject to tax. The rental of a golf cart or moveable duck blind would not be subject to tax. The rental of a recreational boat is a transportation service, the gross receipts of which are not subject to tax if provided by a city or county. b. Sales of merchandise, e.g., food or drink, to persons watching or participating in any athletic sport are not subject to tax. c. Fees charged to improve any facility where any athletic sport is played are not subject to tax, unless such a fee must be paid to participate in an athletic sport that can be played within the facility. d. Fees paid by any person or organization to rent any county or city facility or any portion of any county or city park shall not be subject to tax unless the portion of the park or facility is specifically designed for the playing of an athletic sport. Example: A local bridge club pays a fee to use a shelter house and the surrounding grounds at a county park for a picnic. During the course of the picnic, the club members set up a net and use the surrounding grounds to play volleyball. They also improvise a softball field and play a softball game there. The fee that the bridge club has paid to rent the shelter house and surrounding grounds would not be subject to tax. e. Fees paid for the use of a campground or hiking trail are not subject to tax.