RCW 82.04.255 — Tax on real estate brokers

(1) Upon every person engaging within the state in the business of providing real estate brokerage services; as to such persons, the amount of the tax with respect to such business is equal to the gross income of the business, multiplied by the rate of 1.5 percent. (2) The measure of the tax on real estate commissions earned by the real estate firm is the gross commission earned by the particular real estate firm including that portion of the commission paid to brokers, including designated and managing brokers, in the same firm on a particular transaction. However, when a real estate commission on a particular transaction is divided among real estate firms at the closing of the transaction, including a firm located out of state, each firm must pay the tax only upon its respective shares of said commission. Moreover, when the real estate firm has paid the tax as provided herein, brokers, including designated and managing brokers, within the same real estate firm may not be required to pay a similar tax upon the same transaction. If any firm located out of state receives a share of commission on a particular transaction, that company or broker must pay the tax based on the requirements of this section and RCW 82.04.067 . (3) For the purposes of this section, "broker," "designated broker," "managing broker," and "real estate firm" have the same meaning as provided in RCW 18.85.011 . [ 2011 c 322 s 2 ; 1997 c 7 s 1 ; 1996 c 1 s 1 ; 1993 sp.s. c 25 s 202 ; 1985 c 32 s 2 ; 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 1 ; 1983 c 9 s 1 ; 1970 ex.s. c 65 s 3 .] Notes: Intent — 2011 c 322: "The legislature intends to clarify existing law that the basis for determining the business and occupation tax for real estate firms is the commission amount received by each real estate firm involved in a real estate transaction. In clarifying existing law, the legislature intends to preserve the historic method of calculating business and occupation tax for real estate firms." [ 2011 c 322 s 1 .] Savings — 1997 c 7: "This act does not affect any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections amended or repealed in this act or under any rule or order adopted under those sections, nor does it affect any proceeding instituted under those sections." [ 1997 c 7 s 6 .] Effective date — 1997 c 7: "This act takes effect July 1, 1998." [ 1997 c 7 s 7 .] Effective date — 1996 c 1: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect January 1, 1996." [ 1996 c 1 s 5 .] Severability — Effective dates — Part headings, captions not law — 1993 sp.s. c 25: See notes following RCW 82.04.230 . Construction — 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3: "This act shall not be construed as affecting any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections amended or repealed in this act or under any rule, regulation, or order adopted under those sections, nor as affecting any proceeding instituted under those sections." [ 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 65 .] Severability — 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 66 .] Effective dates — 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3: "(1) This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions and shall take effect July 1, 1983, except that: (a) Sections 42 through 50, and 52, 53, 65, and 66 of this act shall take effect June 30, 1983; (b) Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1983, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section; (c) Sections 21, 22, and 51 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1984. Section 51 of this act shall be effective for property taxes levied in 1983 and due in 1984, and thereafter; and (d) Section 63 of this act shall take effect April 1, 1985, and shall be effective in respect to taxable activities occurring on and after April 1, 1985; and (e) The extension under this act of the retail sales tax to certain sales of telephone service shall apply to telephone service billed on or after July 1, 1983, whether or not such service was rendered before that date. (f) Sections 61 and 62 of this act shall take effect on the day either of the following events occurs, whichever is earlier: (i) A temporary or permanent injunction or order becomes effective which prohibits in whole or in part the collection of taxes at the rates specified in section 6, chapter 7, Laws of 1983; or (ii) A decision of a court in this state invalidating in whole or in part section 6, chapter 7, Laws of 1983, becomes final. (2) The legislature finds that the amendments contained in sections 1 through 4 of this act constitute an integrated and inseparable entity and if any one or more of those sections does not become law, the remaining sections shall not take effect. If sections 1 through 4 of this act do not become law, the governor shall in that event reduce approved allotments under RCW 43.88.110 for the 1983-85 biennium by four percent." [ 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 67 .] Reviser's note: (1) "Sections 42 through 50 and 52" consist of the 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 amendments to RCW 82.49.010 , 88.02.020 , 88.02.030 , 88.02.050 , and 88.02.110 and the enactment of RCW 43.51.400 , 82.49.020 , 82.49.070 , 88.02.070 , and 88.02.080 . "Section 53" consists of the enactment of a new section which appears as a footnote to RCW 88.02.020 , and "sections 65 and 66" consist of the enactment of new sections which appear as footnotes to RCW 82.04.255 above. (2) "Sections 1 through 4" consist of the 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 ss 1-4 amendments to RCW 82.04.255 , 82.04.290 , 82.04.2904 , and 82.04.2901 , respectively. (3) "Sections 21, 22, and 51" consist of the 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 amendments to RCW 82.48.010 , 82.48.030 , and 84.36.080 , respectively. (4) "Section 63" consists of the 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 amendment to RCW 82.32.045 . (5) "Sections 61 and 62" consist of the 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 ss 61 and 62 amendments to RCW 82.04.2901 and 82.08.020 , respectively. For the effective date of sections 61 and 62, see Bond v. Burrows , 103 Wn.2d 153 (1984). Construction — 1983 c 9: "This act shall not be construed as affecting any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections amended in this act, nor any rule, regulation, or order adopted nor any proceeding instituted under those sections." [ 1983 c 9 s 6 .] Severability — 1983 c 9: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1983 c 9 s 7 .] Effective date — 1983 c 9: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions and shall take effect March 1, 1983. The additional taxes and tax rate changes imposed under this act shall take effect on the dates designated in this act notwithstanding the date this act becomes law under Article III, section 12 of the state Constitution." [ 1983 c 9 s 8 .] Effective date — Severability — 1970 ex.s. c 65: See notes following RCW 82.03.050 .