Iowa Admin. Code r. 701—285.11(423) — Newspapers, free newspapers and shoppers’ guides

285.11(1) Sales price of newspapers. The sales price from the sales of newspapers, free newspapers, and shoppers’ guides are exempt from tax. The sales price from the sales of magazines, newsletters, and other periodicals that are not newspapers are taxable. 285.11(2) General characteristics of a newspaper. “Newspaper” is a term with a common definition. A “newspaper” is a periodical, published at short, stated, and regular intervals, usually daily or weekly. It is printed on newsprint with news ink. The format of a newspaper is that of sheets folded loosely together without stapling. A newspaper is admitted to the U.S. mails as second-class material. 285.11(3) Characteristics of newspaper publishing companies. Companies in the business of publishing newspapers are differently structured from other companies. Often, companies publishing larger newspapers will subscribe to various syndicates or “wire services.” A larger newspaper will employ a general editor and a number of subordinate editors as well, for example, sports and lifestyle editors; business, local, agricultural, national, and world news editors; and editorial page editors. A larger newspaper will also employ a variety of reporters and staff writers. Smaller newspapers may or may not have these characteristics or may consolidate these functions. 285.11(4) Characteristics that distinguish a newsletter from a newspaper. A “newsletter” is generally distributed to members or employees of a single organization and not usually to a large cross section of the general public. It is often published at irregular intervals by a volunteer, rather than the paid individual who usually publishes a newspaper. A newsletter is often printed on sheets that are held together at one point only by a staple, rather than folded together.