Iowa Admin. Code r. 701—215.16(423) — Exemption for the sale of property directly and primarily used by a manufacturer to maintain integrity or unique environmental conditions

The sales price of computers, computer peripherals, machinery, equipment, replacement parts, supplies and materials used to construct or self- construct computers, computer peripherals, machinery, equipment, replacement parts, and supplies is exempt from sales and use tax when the property is directly and primarily used to maintain the integrity of the product or to maintain unique environmental conditions required for either the product or the computers, computer peripherals, machinery, and equipment used in processing by a manufacturer, including test equipment used to control quality and specifications of the product. 215.16(1) Required elements. To qualify for exemption under this rule, the purchaser must prove the property is: a. Computers, computer peripherals, machinery, equipment, replacement parts, supplies, or materials used to construct or self-construct computers, computer peripherals, machinery, equipment, replacement parts, or supplies as described in subrule 215.14(2); b. Directly used as described in subrule 215.15(2); Revenue c. Primarily used as described in subrule 215.15(2); d. Used by a manufacturer as described in subrule 215.15(4); and e. Used to maintain: (1) A manufactured product’s integrity; (2) Unique environmental conditions required for a manufactured product; or (3) Unique environmental conditions required for other computers, computer peripherals, machinery, equipment, replacement parts, or supplies directly and primarily used in processing by a manufacturer. 215.16(2) Replacement parts and supplies. a. Replacement parts. To qualify for exemption under this rule, replacement parts must satisfy the definition contained in Iowa Code section 423.3(47)“d.” In addition to the other requirements, an exempt replacement part must replace a component of a computer, computer peripheral, machinery, or equipment that is directly and primarily used to maintain the integrity of the product or to maintain unique environmental conditions required for either the product or the computers, computer peripherals, machinery, and equipment used in processing by a manufacturer. Tangible personal property is not an exempt replacement part under this rule if the property exclusively replaces a component of a computer, computer peripheral, machinery, or equipment that is not directly and primarily used to maintain the integrity of the product or to maintain unique environmental conditions required for either the product or the computers, computer peripherals, machinery, and equipment used in processing by a manufacturer. b. Supplies. To qualify for exemption under this rule, supplies must satisfy the definition contained in Iowa Code section 423.3(47)“d.” In addition to the other requirements, an exempt supply must be connected to, be used in conjunction with, or come into physical contact with a computer, computer peripheral, machinery, or equipment that is directly and primarily used to maintain the integrity of the product or to maintain unique environmental conditions required for either the product or the computers, computer peripherals, machinery, and equipment used in processing by a manufacturer, or an exempt supply must itself be directly and primarily used to maintain the integrity of the product or to maintain unique environmental conditions required for either the product or the computers, computer peripherals, machinery, and equipment used in processing by a manufacturer. Tangible personal property is not an exempt supply under this rule if the property exclusively is connected to, is used in conjunction with, or comes into physical contact with a computer, computer peripheral, machinery, or equipment that is not directly and primarily used to maintain the integrity of the product or to maintain unique environmental conditions required for either the product or the computers, computer peripherals, machinery, and equipment used in processing by a manufacturer. 215.16(3) Example of property directly and primarily used to maintain integrity or unique environmental conditions. A manufacturer purchases a cooling system or heating system that qualifies as machinery. The manufacturer uses the system to directly and primarily maintain the proper temperature of other machinery and equipment. The manufacturer uses such machinery and equipment directly and primarily in processing. The system is not used for the comfort of the workers. Because the system directly and primarily maintains the environmental conditions necessary for machinery and equipment directly and primarily used in processing, the system is exempt from sales and use tax under this rule.