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TAAA 2011 President - Andy Mitchell
Annual Conference and Exhibition
TAAA's 61st Annual Conference and Exhibition has come and gone ! President Jason Wooten graciously hosted the event with his wife Carla at the Historic Hilton Hotel in Ft Worth, TX. Highlights at this year's convention were guest speakers Todd Staples, Texas Ag Commissioner and Mark Hartz, this year's NAAA President from Arkansas. Attendees learned in the Turbine Engine, GPS and PAASS classrooms; played on the golf course and the shooting range; networked during the receptions, banquets and free times; and shared lots of old stories from yesterdays and new ideas for tomorrow. Remember, it's never too soon to start making plans for next years 62nd convention hosted by TAAA current President Andy Mitchell and his wife Rita in San Antonio, TX
***New Sales Tax Exemption Registration for Agriculture and Timber Operators ***
(AUSTIN) — Beginning Jan.1, 2012, farm, ranch and timber operators who produce agricultural and timber products for sale will need a special registration number to claim a sales tax exemption on taxable products used in those businesses. Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced they can get a registration number through either a mail-in application or an online application that begins Oct. 3.
Registration is required by House Bill 268 passed in the recent legislative session and supported by retailers and agriculture groups.
“Beginning Jan. 1, anyone who wants to claim the agriculture or timber sales tax exemptions for qualifying products will need a registration number to show retailers, instead of simply signing an exemption certificate at the time of purchase,” Combs said. “The new registration process takes the burden off retailers to verify whether a purchaser is eligible for exemption. And it narrows the pool of purchasers claiming the sales tax exemption to those actually involved in production of agriculture and timber products for sale.”
The new legislation requires a registration number to claim tax exemptions when buying items such as machinery and equipment; fertilizers; insecticides; irrigation equipment; and off-road motor vehicles used for farming and timber production. Those entitled to make tax-free purchases of taxable qualifying products include groups such as:
• farmers and ranchers who raise agricultural products to sell to others;
• fish farmers and bee keepers who sell the products they raise;
• custom harvesters;
• crop dusters;
• commercial nurseries engaged in fostering growth of plants for sale; and
• timber producers, including contract lumberjacks.
Products such as feed for livestock and wildlife, seeds and annual plants are always tax-exempt and would not require a registration number. The primary owner or operator of a farm, ranch or timber operation may obtain one registration number that can be used by anyone authorized by the registrant – including family members or employees – to make tax exempt purchases of qualifying products for the business. The application for a registration number should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Online registration begins Oct. 3 at www.GetReadyTexas.org. Online applicants will receive a registration number immediately. If you prefer, you may download a paper application form from the website or call 1-800-252-5555 to receive a form by mail.
**New Sales Tax Exemption**
One of the most important tax provisions impacting aerial applicator operations is the sales tax exemption on the purchase of airplanes and airplane equipment. TAAA worked very hard for many years to get this provision in place and to protect it from elimination. We were especially concerned during this past legislative session as many tax exemptions were at risk while the legislature sought to close a $27 billion shortfall. Many operators already obtain a sales tax exemption certificate for use in their businesses, but it was not clear that such a certificate was required in all cases. HB 268 by Representative Harvey Hilderbran, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, passed legislation this past session requiring the certificate in order to help eliminate fraud and abuse of agricultural exemptions in general. The new requirement applies to aerial application operations. All things considered, TAAA officers and staff determined that this was a reasonable requirement with which we could readily comply. Set forth below is a note from Comptroller Susan Combs discussing the new requirement please click here.
http://window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/ag_timber_exemption.html
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