S2574

An Act imposing the sales and use tax, a transient accommodation fee, and authorizing a local transient accommodation tax on charges for providing space for the accommodation of transient guests in certain residences in this State, amending and supplementing the title and body of P.L.2003, c.114, and amending and supplementing P.L.1966, c.30.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The title of P.L.2003, c.114 is amended to read as follows:

An Act imposing a State hotel and motel occupancy fee and a transient accommodation fee and authorizing imposition of a municipal hotel and motel occupancy tax and a transient accommodation tax by certain municipalities, supplementing Titles 54 and 40 of the Revised Statutes.

(cf: P.L.2003, c.114, title)

2. a. (New section) In addition to any other tax, assessment or use fee authorized by law, the governing body of a municipality, other than a city of the first class or a city of the second class in which the tax authorized under P.L.1981, c.77 (C.40:48E-1 et seq.) is imposed, a city of the fourth class in which the tax authorized under P.L.1947, c.71 (C.40:48-8.15 et seq.) is imposed, or a municipality in which the tax and assessment authorized under section 4 of P.L.1992, c.165 (C.40:54D-4) is imposed, may adopt an ordinance imposing a transient accommodation tax, at a uniform percentage rate not to exceed 3% upon charges for providing space for accommodation of a transient guest in a residence or other residential unit in this State by a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation for providing space for accommodation on or after the first day of the first full calendar quarter beginning at least 90 days after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), which every person required to collect tax shall collect from the customer when collecting the service charge to which it applies.

A copy of an ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall be transmitted upon adoption or amendment to the State Treasurer. An ordinance so adopted or any amendment thereto shall provide that the tax provisions of the ordinance or any amendment to the tax provisions shall take effect on the first day of the first full month occurring 90 days after the date of transmittal to the State Treasurer.

b. The transient accommodation tax imposed by subsection a. of this section shall not be imposed upon providing space for accommodation if the purchaser, user or consumer is an entity exempt from the tax imposed on charges for providing space for accommodation under the “Sales and Use Tax Act” pursuant to subsection (a) of section 9 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-2).

c. Notwithstanding any other provisions of P.L.2003, c.114 (C.40:48F-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the Director of the Division of Taxation may enter into an agreement with the owner or operator of a transient space marketplace for the purpose of collection and payment of the tax. Upon entering an agreement with the owner or operator of a transient space marketplace, the director may waive the responsibility of a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation to collect and pay the tax. The owner or operator of the transient space marketplace shall agree to be personally liable for the collection and payment of the fee on behalf of a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation.

d. Terms used in this section shall have the meaning given those terms pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-2).

3. Section 2 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-2) is amended to read as follows:

2. Unless the context in which they occur requires otherwise, the following terms when used in this act shall mean:

(a) "Person" includes an individual, trust, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, society, association, joint stock company, corporation, public corporation or public authority, estate, receiver, trustee, assignee, referee, fiduciary and any other legal entity.

(b) "Purchase at retail" means a purchase by any person at a retail sale.

(d) "Receipt" means the amount of the sales price of any tangible personal property, specified digital product or service taxable under this act.

(e) "Retail sale" means any sale, lease, or rental for any purpose, other than for resale, sublease, or subrent.

(1) For the purposes of this act a sale is for "resale, sublease, or subrent" if it is a sale (A) for resale either as such or as converted into or as a component part of a product produced for sale by the purchaser, including the conversion of natural gas into another intermediate or end product, other than electricity or thermal energy, produced for sale by the purchaser, (B) for use by that person in performing the services subject to tax under subsection (b) of section 3 where the property so sold becomes a physical component part of the property upon which the services are performed or where the property so sold is later actually transferred to the purchaser of the service in conjunction with the performance of the service subject to tax, (C) of telecommunications service to a telecommunications service provider for use as a component part of telecommunications service provided to an ultimate customer, or (D) to a person who receives by contract a product transferred electronically for further commercial broadcast, rebroadcast, transmission, retransmission, licensing, relicensing, distribution, redistribution or exhibition of the product, in whole or in part, to another person, other than rights to redistribute based on statutory or common law doctrine such as fair use.

(2) For the purposes of this act, the term "retail sale" includes: sales of tangible personal property to all contractors, subcontractors or repairmen of materials and supplies for use by them in erecting structures for others, or building on, or otherwise improving, altering, or repairing real property of others.

(3) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2005, c.126).

(4) The term "retail sale" does not include:

(A) Professional, insurance, or personal service transactions which involve the transfer of tangible personal property as an inconsequential element, for which no separate charges are made.

(B) The transfer of tangible personal property to a corporation, solely in consideration for the issuance of its stock, pursuant to a merger or consolidation effected under the laws of New Jersey or any other jurisdiction.

(D) The distribution of property by a partnership to its partners in whole or partial liquidation.

(E) The transfer of property to a corporation upon its organization in consideration for the issuance of its stock.

(F) The contribution of property to a partnership in consideration for a partnership interest therein.

(G) The sale of tangible personal property where the purpose of the vendee is to hold the thing transferred as security for the performance of an obligation of the seller.

(f) "Sale, selling or purchase" means any transfer of title or possession or both, exchange or barter, rental, lease or license to use or consume, conditional or otherwise, in any manner or by any means whatsoever for a consideration, or any agreement therefor, including the rendering of any service, taxable under this act, for a consideration or any agreement therefor.

(g) "Tangible personal property" means personal property that can be seen, weighed, measured, felt, or touched, or that is in any other manner perceptible to the senses. "Tangible personal property" includes electricity, water, gas, steam, and prewritten computer software including prewritten computer software delivered electronically.

(h) "Use" means the exercise of any right or power over tangible personal property, specified digital products, services to property or products, or services by the purchaser thereof and includes, but is not limited to, the receiving, storage or any keeping or retention for any length of time, withdrawal from storage, any distribution, any installation, any affixation to real or personal property, or any consumption of such property or products. Use also includes the exercise of any right or power over intrastate or interstate telecommunications and prepaid calling services. Use also includes the exercise of any right or power over utility service. Use also includes the derivation of a direct or indirect benefit from a service.

(i) "Seller" means a person making sales, leases or rentals of personal property or services.

(1) The term "seller" includes:

(A) A person making sales, leases or rentals of tangible personal property, specified digital products or services, the receipts from which are taxed by this act;

(B) A person maintaining a place of business in the State or having an agent maintaining a place of business in the State and making sales, whether at such place of business or elsewhere, to persons within the State of tangible personal property, specified digital products or services, the use of which is taxed by this act;

(C) A person who solicits business either by employees, independent contractors, agents or other representatives or by distribution of catalogs or other advertising matter and by reason thereof makes sales to persons within the State of tangible personal property, specified digital products or services, the use of which is taxed by this act .

A person making sales of tangible personal property, specified digital products, or services taxable under the "Sales and Use Tax Act," P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.) shall be presumed to be soliciting business through an independent contractor or other representative if the person making sales enters into an agreement with an independent contractor having physical presence in this State or other representative having physical presence in this State, for a commission or other consideration, under which the independent contractor or representative directly or indirectly refers potential customers, whether by a link on an internet website or otherwise, and the cumulative gross receipts from sales to customers in this State who were referred by all independent contractors or representatives that have this type of an agreement with the person making sales are in excess of $10,000 during the preceding four quarterly periods ending on the last day of March, June, September, and December. This presumption may be rebutted by proof that the independent contractor or representative with whom the person making sales has an agreement did not engage in any solicitation in the State on behalf of the person that would satisfy the nexus requirements of the United States Constitution during the four quarterly periods in question. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to narrow the scope of the terms independent contractor or other representative for purposes of any other provision of the "Sales and Use Tax Act," P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.);

(D) Any other person making sales to persons within the State of tangible personal property, specified digital products or services, the use of which is taxed by this act, who may be authorized by the director to collect the tax imposed by this act;

(E) The State of New Jersey, any of its agencies, instrumentalities, public authorities, public corporations (including a public corporation created pursuant to agreement or compact with another state) or political subdivisions when such entity sells services or property of a kind ordinarily sold by private persons;

(F) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2005, c.126);

(G) A person who sells, stores, delivers or transports energy to users or customers in this State whether by mains, lines or pipes located within this State or by any other means of delivery;

(H) A person engaged in collecting charges in the nature of initiation fees, membership fees or dues for access to or use of the property or facilities of a health and fitness, athletic, sporting or shopping club or organization; and

(I) A person engaged in the business of parking, storing or garaging motor vehicles.

(2) In addition, when in the opinion of the director it is necessary for the efficient administration of this act to treat any salesman, representative, peddler or canvasser as the agent of the seller, distributor, supervisor or employer under whom the agent operates or from whom the agent obtains tangible personal property or a specified digital product sold by the agent or for whom the agent solicits business, the director may, in the director's discretion, treat such agent as the seller jointly responsible with the agent's principal, distributor, supervisor or employer for the collection and payment over of the tax. A person is an agent of a seller in all cases, but not limited to such cases, that: (A) the person and the seller have the relationship of a "related person" described pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1993, c.170 (C.54:10A-5.5); and (B) the seller and the person use an identical or substantially similar name, tradename, trademark, or goodwill, to develop, promote, or maintain sales, or the person and the seller pay for each other's services in whole or in part contingent upon the volume or value of sales, or the person and the seller share a common business plan or substantially coordinate their business plans, or the person provides services to, or that inure to the benefit of, the seller related to developing, promoting, or maintaining the seller's market.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, the director may enter into an agreement with the owner or operator of a transient space marketplace for the purpose of collection and payment of the tax. Upon entering an agreement with the owner or operator of a transient space marketplace, the director may waive the responsibility of a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation to collect and pay the tax. The owner or operator of the transient space marketplace shall agree to be personally liable for the collection and payment of the tax on behalf of a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation.

(j) "Hotel" means a building or portion of it which is regularly used and kept open as such for the lodging of guests. The term "hotel" includes an apartment hotel, a motel, boarding house or club, whether or not meals are served.

(k) "Occupancy" means the use or possession or the right to the use or possession, of any room in a hotel.

(l) "Occupant" means a person who, for a consideration, uses, possesses, or has the right to use or possess, any room in a hotel under any lease, concession, permit, right of access, license to use or other agreement, or otherwise.

(m) "Permanent resident" means any occupant of any room or rooms in a hotel for at least 90 consecutive days shall be considered a permanent resident with regard to the period of such occupancy.

(n) "Room" means any room or rooms of any kind in any part or portion of a hotel, which is available for or let out for any purpose other than a place of assembly.

(o) "Admission charge" means the amount paid for admission, including any service charge and any charge for entertainment or amusement or for the use of facilities therefor.

(p) "Amusement charge" means any admission charge, dues or charge of a roof garden, cabaret or other similar place.

(q) "Charge of a roof garden, cabaret or other similar place" means any charge made for admission, refreshment, service, or merchandise at a roof garden, cabaret or other similar place.

(r) "Dramatic or musical arts admission charge" means any admission charge paid for admission to a theater, opera house, concert hall or other hall or place of assembly for a live, dramatic, choreographic or musical performance.

(s) "Lessor" means any person who is the owner, licensee, or lessee of any premises, tangible personal property or a specified digital product which the person leases, subleases, or grants a license to use to other persons.

(t) "Place of amusement" means any place where any facilities for entertainment, amusement, or sports are provided.

(u) "Casual sale" means an isolated or occasional sale of an item of tangible personal property or a specified digital product by a person who is not regularly engaged in the business of making retail sales of such property or product where the item of tangible personal property or the specified digital product was obtained by the person making the sale, through purchase or otherwise, for the person's own use.

(v) "Motor vehicle" includes all vehicles propelled otherwise than by muscular power (excepting such vehicles as run only upon rails or tracks), trailers, semitrailers, house trailers, or any other type of vehicle drawn by a motor-driven vehicle, and motorcycles, designed for operation on the public highways.

(w) "Persons required to collect tax" or "persons required to collect any tax imposed by this act" includes: every seller of tangible personal property, specified digital products or services; every recipient of amusement charges; every operator of a hotel; every seller of a telecommunications service; every recipient of initiation fees, membership fees or dues for access to or use of the property or facilities of a health and fitness, athletic, sporting or shopping club or organization; and every recipient of charges for parking, storing or garaging a motor vehicle. Said terms shall also include any officer or employee of a corporation or of a dissolved corporation who as such officer or employee is under a duty to act for such corporation in complying with any requirement of this act and any member of a partnership.

(x) "Customer" includes: every purchaser of tangible personal property, specified digital products or services; every patron paying or liable for the payment of any amusement charge; every occupant of a room or rooms in a hotel; every person paying charges in the nature of initiation fees, membership fees or dues for access to or use of the property or facilities of a health and fitness, athletic, sporting or shopping club or organization; and every purchaser of parking, storage or garaging a motor vehicle.

(y) "Property and services the use of which is subject to tax" includes: (1) all property sold to a person within the State, whether or not the sale is made within the State, the use of which property is subject to tax under section 6 or will become subject to tax when such property is received by or comes into the possession or control of such person within the State; (2) all services rendered to a person within the State, whether or not such services are performed within the State, upon tangible personal property or a specified digital product the use of which is subject to tax under section 6 or will become subject to tax when such property or product is distributed within the State or is received by or comes into possession or control of such person within the State; (3) intrastate, interstate, or international telecommunications sourced to this State pursuant to section 29 of P.L.2005, c.126 (C.54:32B-3.4); (4) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1995, c.184); (5) energy sold, exchanged or delivered in this State for use in this State; (6) utility service sold, exchanged or delivered in this State for use in this State; (7) mail processing services in connection with printed advertising material distributed in this State; (8) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2005, c.126); and (9) services the benefit of which are received in this State.

(z) "Director" means the Director of the Division of Taxation in the State Department of the Treasury, or any officer, employee or agency of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury duly authorized by the director (directly, or indirectly by one or more redelegations of authority) to perform the functions mentioned or described in this act.

(aa) "Lease or rental" means any transfer of possession or control of tangible personal property for a fixed or indeterminate term for consideration. A "lease or rental" may include future options to purchase or extend.

(1) "Lease or rental" does not include:

(A) A transfer of possession or control of property under a security agreement or deferred payment plan that requires the transfer of title upon completion of the required payments;

(B) A transfer of possession or control of property under an agreement that requires the transfer of title upon completion of required payments and payment of an option price does not exceed the greater of $100 or one percent of the total required payments; or

(C) Providing tangible personal property or a specified digital product along with an operator for a fixed or indeterminate period of time. A condition of this exclusion is that the operator is necessary for the equipment to perform as designed. For the purpose of this subparagraph, an operator must do more than maintain, inspect, or set-up the tangible personal property or specified digital product.

(2) "Lease or rental" does include agreements covering motor vehicles and trailers where the amount of consideration may be increased or decreased by reference to the amount realized upon sale or disposition of the property as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.7701(h)(1).

(3) The definition of "lease or rental" provided in this subsection shall be used for the purposes of this act regardless of whether a transaction is characterized as a lease or rental under generally accepted accounting principles, the federal Internal Revenue Code or other provisions of federal, state or local law.

(bb) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2005, c.126).

(cc) "Telecommunications service" means the electronic transmission, conveyance, or routing of voice, data, audio, video, or any other information or signals to a point, or between or among points.

"Telecommunications service" shall include such transmission, conveyance, or routing in which computer processing applications are used to act on the form, code, or protocol of the content for purposes of transmission, conveyance, or routing without regard to whether such service is referred to as voice over Internet protocol services or is classified by the Federal Communications Commission as enhanced or value added.

"Telecommunications service" shall not include:

(1) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123);

(2) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123);

(3) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123);

(4) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123);

(5) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123);

(6) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123);

(7) data processing and information services that allow data to be generated, acquired, stored, processed, or retrieved and delivered by an electronic transmission to a purchaser where such purchaser's primary purpose for the underlying transaction is the processed data or information;

(8) installation or maintenance of wiring or equipment on a customer's premises;

(9) tangible personal property;

(10) advertising, including but not limited to directory advertising;

(11) billing and collection services provided to third parties;

(12) internet access service;

(13) radio and television audio and video programming services, regardless of the medium, including the furnishing of transmission, conveyance, and routing of such services by the programming service provider. Radio and television audio and video programming services shall include but not be limited to cable service as defined in section 47 U.S.C. s.522(6) and audio and video programming services delivered by commercial mobile radio service providers, as defined in section 47 C.F.R. 20.3;

(14) ancillary services; or

(15) digital products delivered electronically, including but not limited to software, music, video, reading materials, or ringtones.

For the purposes of this subsection:

"ancillary service" means a service that is associated with or incidental to the provision of telecommunications services, including but not limited to detailed telecommunications billing, directory assistance, vertical service, and voice mail service;

"conference bridging service" means an ancillary service that links two or more participants of an audio or video conference call and may include the provision of a telephone number. Conference bridging service does not include the telecommunications services used to reach the conference bridge;

"detailed telecommunications billing service" means an ancillary service of separately stating information pertaining to individual calls on a customer's billing statement;

"directory assistance" means an ancillary service of providing telephone number information or address information or both;

"vertical service" means an ancillary service that is offered in connection with one or more telecommunications services, which offers advanced calling features that allow customers to identify callers and to manage multiple calls and call connections, including conference bridging services; and

"voice mail service" means an ancillary service that enables the customer to store, send, or receive recorded messages. Voice mail service does not include any vertical service that a customer may be required to have to utilize the voice mail service.

(dd) (1) "Intrastate telecommunications" means a telecommunications service that originates in one United States state or a United States territory or possession or federal district, and terminates in the same United States state or United States territory or possession or federal district.

(2) "Interstate telecommunications" means a telecommunications service that originates in one United States state or a United States territory or possession or federal district, and terminates in a different United States state or United States territory or possession or federal district.

(3) "International telecommunications" means a telecommunications service that originates or terminates in the United States and terminates or originates outside the United States, respectively. "United States" includes the District of Columbia or a United States territory or possession.

(ee) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123)

(ff) "Natural gas" means any gaseous fuel distributed through a pipeline system.

(gg) "Energy" means natural gas or electricity.

(hh) "Utility service" means the transportation or transmission of natural gas or electricity by means of mains, wires, lines or pipes, to users or customers.

(ii) "Self-generation unit" means a facility located on the user's property, or on property purchased or leased from the user by the person owning the self-generation unit and such property is contiguous to the user's property, which generates electricity to be used only by that user on the user's property and is not transported to the user over wires that cross a property line or public thoroughfare unless the property line or public thoroughfare merely bifurcates the user's or self-generation unit owner's otherwise contiguous property.

(jj) "Co-generation facility" means a facility the primary purpose of which is the sequential production of electricity and steam or other forms of useful energy which are used for industrial or commercial heating or cooling purposes and which is designated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or its successor, as a "qualifying facility" pursuant to the provisions of the "Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978," Pub.L.95-617.

(kk) "Non-utility" means a company engaged in the sale, exchange or transfer of natural gas that was not subject to the provisions of P.L.1940, c.5 (C.54:30A-49 et seq.) prior to December 31, 1997.

(ll) "Pre-paid calling service" means the right to access exclusively telecommunications services, which shall be paid for in advance and which enables the origination of calls using an access number or authorization code, whether manually or electronically dialed, and that is sold in predetermined units or dollars of which the number declines with use in a known amount.

(mm) "Mobile telecommunications service" means the same as that term is defined in the federal "Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Act,'' 4 U.S.C. s.124 (Pub.L.106-252).

(nn) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123)

(oo) (1) "Sales price" is the measure subject to sales tax and means the total amount of consideration, including cash, credit, property, and services, for which personal property or services are sold, leased, or rented, valued in money, whether received in money or otherwise, without any deduction for the following:

(A) The seller's cost of the property sold;

(B) The cost of materials used, labor or service cost, interest, losses, all costs of transportation to the seller, all taxes imposed on the seller, and any other expense of the seller;

(D) Delivery charges;

(E) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2011, c.49); and

(F) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123).

(2) "Sales price" does not include:

(A) Discounts, including cash, term, or coupons that are not reimbursed by a third party, that are allowed by a seller and taken by a purchaser on a sale;

(B) Interest, financing, and carrying charges from credit extended on the sale of personal property or services, if the amount is separately stated on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar document given to the purchaser;

(C) Any taxes legally imposed directly on the consumer that are separately stated on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar document given to the purchaser;

(D) The amount of sales price for which food stamps have been properly tendered in full or part payment pursuant to the federal Food Stamp Act of 1977, Pub.L.95-113 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.); or

(E) Credit for any trade-in of property of the same kind accepted in part payment and intended for resale if the amount is separately stated on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar document given to the purchaser.

(3) "Sales price" includes consideration received by the seller from third parties if:

(A) The seller actually receives consideration from a party other than the purchaser and the consideration is directly related to a price reduction or discount on the sale;

(B) The seller has an obligation to pass the price reduction or discount through to the purchaser;

(C) The amount of the consideration attributable to the sale is fixed and determinable by the seller at the time of the sale of the item to the purchaser; and

(D) One of the following criteria is met:

(i) the purchaser presents a coupon, certificate, or other documentation to the seller to claim a price reduction or discount where the coupon, certificate, or documentation is authorized, distributed, or granted by a third party with the understanding that the third party will reimburse any seller to whom the coupon, certificate, or documentation is presented;

(ii) the purchaser identifies himself to the seller as a member of a group or organization entitled to a price reduction or discount; provided however, that a preferred customer card that is available to any patron does not constitute membership in such a group; or

(iii) the price reduction or discount is identified as a third party price reduction or discount on the invoice received by the purchaser or on a coupon, certificate, or other documentation presented by the purchaser.

(4) In the case of a bundled transaction that includes a telecommunications service, an ancillary service, internet access, or an audio or video programming service, if the price is attributable to products that are taxable and products that are nontaxable, the portion of the price attributable to the nontaxable products is subject to tax unless the provider can identify by reasonable and verifiable standards such portion from its books and records that are kept in the regular course of business for other purposes, including non-tax purposes.

(pp) "Purchase price" means the measure subject to use tax and has the same meaning as "sales price."

(qq) "Sales tax" means the tax imposed on certain transactions pursuant to the provisions of the "Sales and Use Tax Act," P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.).

(rr) "Delivery charges" means charges by the seller for preparation and delivery to a location designated by the purchaser of personal property or services including, but not limited to, transportation, shipping, postage, handling, crating, and packing. If a shipment includes both exempt and taxable property, the seller should allocate the delivery charge by using: (1) a percentage based on the total sales price of the taxable property compared to the total sales price of all property in the shipment; or (2) a percentage based on the total weight of the taxable property compared to the total weight of all property in the shipment. The seller shall tax the percentage of the delivery charge allocated to the taxable property but is not required to tax the percentage allocated to the exempt property.

(ss) "Direct mail" means printed material delivered or distributed by United States mail or other delivery service to a mass audience or to addresses on a mailing list provided by the purchaser or at the direction of the purchaser in cases in which the cost of the items are not billed directly to the recipients. "Direct mail" includes tangible personal property supplied directly or indirectly by the purchaser to the direct mail seller for inclusion in the package containing the printed material. "Direct mail" does not include multiple items of printed material delivered to a single address.

(tt) "Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement" means the agreement entered into as governed and authorized by the "Uniform Sales and Use Tax Administration Act," P.L.2001, c.431 (C.54:32B-44 et seq.).

(uu) "Alcoholic beverages" means beverages that are suitable for human consumption and contain one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume.

(vv) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2011, c.49)

(ww) "Landscaping services" means services that result in a capital improvement to land other than structures of any kind whatsoever, such as: seeding, sodding or grass plugging of new lawns; planting trees, shrubs, hedges, plants; and clearing and filling land.

(xx) "Investigation and security services" means:

(1) investigation and detective services, including detective agencies and private investigators, and fingerprint, polygraph, missing person tracing and skip tracing services;

(2) security guard and patrol services, including bodyguard and personal protection, guard dog, guard, patrol, and security services;

(3) armored car services; and

(4) security systems services, including security, burglar, and fire alarm installation, repair or monitoring services.

(yy) "Information services" means the furnishing of information of any kind, which has been collected, compiled, or analyzed by the seller, and provided through any means or method, other than personal or individual information which is not incorporated into reports furnished to other people.

(zz) "Specified digital product" means an electronically transferred digital audio-visual work, digital audio work, or digital book; provided however, that a digital code which provides a purchaser with a right to obtain the product shall be treated in the same manner as a specified digital product.

(aaa) "Digital audio-visual work" means a series of related images which, when shown in succession, impart an impression of motion, together with accompanying sounds, if any.

(bbb) "Digital audio work" means a work that results from the fixation of a series of musical, spoken, or other sounds, including a ringtone.

(ccc) "Digital book" means a work that is generally recognized in the ordinary and usual sense as a book.

(ddd) "Transferred electronically" means obtained by the purchaser by means other than tangible storage media.

(eee) "Ringtone" means a digitized sound file that is downloaded onto a device and that may be used to alert the purchaser with respect to a communication.

(fff) “Space for accommodation” means a room, group of rooms, or other living or sleeping space within a residence or other residential unit that is designated for the overnight accommodation of a transient guest. “Space for accommodation” does not include a room, group of rooms, or other living or sleeping space used as a place of assembly.

(ggg) “Transient guest” means a person who for consideration uses, possesses, or has the right to use or possess any space for accommodation in a residence or other residential unit in this State for a period of not more than 90 consecutive days under a lease, concession, permit, right of access, license to use or other agreement.

(hhh) “Residence or other residential unit” means a house, condominium, or other residential dwelling unit in a building or structure or part of a building or structure that is designed, constructed, leased, rented, let or hired out, or otherwise made available for use as a residence. “Residence or other residential unit” does not include: a hotel; a dormitory or other similar residential facility of an elementary or secondary school or a college or university; a hospital, nursing home, or other similar residential facility of a provider of services for the care, support, and treatment of individuals that is licensed by the State; or a cabin, lean-to, or other similar residential facility of a campground or a youth camp facility.

(iii) “Person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation” means a person who is engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation to the public as a business activity through the placement of an advertisement, or the listing of the space for accommodation, with a transient space marketplace, and who has cumulative gross receipts from charges for providing space for accommodation to transient guests in this State in excess of $1,000 during the preceding four calendar quarters.

(jjj) “Transient space marketplace” means a digital platform through which a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation to transient guests may offer the space for accommodation for compensation. A “transient space marketplace” allows a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation to advertise or list the space for accommodation through a hosted website and provides a means for a transient guest to arrange for the use of the space for accommodation in exchange for consideration (whether the transient guest provides consideration directly to the person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation or the owner or operator of the transient space marketplace).

(cf: P.L.2014, c.13, s.4)

4. Section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3) is amended to read as follows:

3. There is imposed and there shall be paid a tax of 7% upon:

(a) The receipts from every retail sale of tangible personal property or a specified digital product for permanent use or less than permanent use, and regardless of whether continued payment is required, except as otherwise provided in this act.

(b) The receipts from every sale, except for resale, of the following services:

(1) Producing, fabricating, processing, printing or imprinting tangible personal property or a specified digital product, performed for a person who directly or indirectly furnishes the tangible personal property or specified digital product, not purchased by him for resale, upon which such services are performed.

(2) Installing tangible personal property or a specified digital product, or maintaining, servicing, repairing tangible personal property or a specified digital product not held for sale in the regular course of business, whether or not the services are performed directly or by means of coin-operated equipment or by any other means, and whether or not any tangible personal property or specified digital product is transferred in conjunction therewith, except (i) such services rendered by an individual who is engaged directly by a private homeowner or lessee in or about his residence and who is not in a regular trade or business offering his services to the public, (ii) such services rendered with respect to personal property exempt from taxation hereunder pursuant to section 13 of P.L.1980, c.105 (C.54:32B-8.1), (iii) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1990, c.40), (iv) any receipts from laundering, dry cleaning, tailoring, weaving, or pressing clothing, and shoe repairing and shoeshining and (v) services rendered in installing property which, when installed, will constitute an addition or capital improvement to real property, property or land, other than landscaping services and other than installing carpeting and other flooring.

(3) Storing all tangible personal property not held for sale in the regular course of business; the rental of safe deposit boxes or similar space; and the furnishing of space for storage of tangible personal property by a person engaged in the business of furnishing space for such storage.

"Space for storage" means secure areas, such as rooms, units, compartments or containers, whether accessible from outside or from within a building, that are designated for the use of a customer and wherein the customer has free access within reasonable business hours, or upon reasonable notice to the furnisher of space for storage, to store and retrieve property. Space for storage shall not include the lease or rental of an entire building, such as a warehouse or airplane hangar.

(4) Maintaining, servicing or repairing real property, other than a residential heating system unit serving not more than three families living independently of each other and doing their cooking on the premises, whether the services are performed in or outside of a building, as distinguished from adding to or improving such real property by a capital improvement, but excluding services rendered by an individual who is not in a regular trade or business offering his services to the public, and excluding garbage removal and sewer services performed on a regular contractual basis for a term not less than 30 days.

(5) Mail processing services for printed advertising material, except for mail processing services in connection with distribution of printed advertising material to out-of-State recipients.

(6) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1995, c.184).

(7) Utility service provided to persons in this State, any right or power over which is exercised in this State.

(8) Tanning services, including the application of a temporary tan provided by any means.

(9) Massage, bodywork or somatic services, except such services provided pursuant to a doctor's prescription.

(10) Tattooing, including all permanent body art and permanent cosmetic make-up applications, except such services provided pursuant to a doctor's prescription in conjunction with reconstructive breast surgery.

(11) Investigation and security services.

(12) Information services.

(13) Transportation services originating in this State and provided by a limousine operator, as permitted by law, except such services provided in connection with funeral services.

(14) Telephone answering services.

(15) Radio subscription services.

(16) Providing space for accommodation of a transient guest in a residence or other residential unit in this State by a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation.

Wages, salaries and other compensation paid by an employer to an employee for performing as an employee the services described in this subsection are not receipts subject to the taxes imposed under this subsection (b).

Services otherwise taxable under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection (b) are not subject to the taxes imposed under this subsection, where the tangible personal property or specified digital product upon which the services were performed is delivered to the purchaser outside this State for use outside this State.

(c) (1) Receipts from the sale of prepared food in or by restaurants, taverns, or other establishments in this State, or by caterers, including in the amount of such receipts any cover, minimum, entertainment or other charge made to patrons or customers, except for meals especially prepared for and delivered to homebound elderly, age 60 or older, and to disabled persons, or meals prepared and served at a group-sitting at a location outside of the home to otherwise homebound elderly persons, age 60 or older, and otherwise homebound disabled persons, as all or part of any food service project funded in whole or in part by government or as part of a private, nonprofit food service project available to all such elderly or disabled persons residing within an area of service designated by the private nonprofit organization; and

(2) Receipts from sales of food and beverages sold through vending machines, at the wholesale price of such sale, which shall be defined as 70% of the retail vending machine selling price, except sales of milk, which shall not be taxed. Nothing herein contained shall affect other sales through coin-operated vending machines taxable pursuant to subsection (a) above or the exemption thereto provided by section 21 of P.L.1980, c.105 (C.54:32B-8.9).

The tax imposed by this subsection (c) shall not apply to food or drink which is sold to an airline for consumption while in flight.

(3) For the purposes of this subsection:

"Food and beverages sold through vending machines" means food and beverages dispensed from a machine or other mechanical device that accepts payment; and

"Prepared food" means:

(i) A. food sold in a heated state or heated by the seller; or

B. two or more food ingredients mixed or combined by the seller for sale as a single item, but not including food that is only cut, repackaged, or pasteurized by the seller, and eggs, fish, meat, poultry, and foods containing these raw animal foods requiring cooking by the consumer as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration in Chapter 3, part 401.11 of its Food Code so as to prevent food borne illnesses; or

C. food sold with eating utensils provided by the seller, including plates, knives, forks, spoons, glasses, cups, napkins, or straws. A plate does not include a container or packaging used to transport the food;

provided however, that

(ii) "prepared food" does not include the following sold without eating utensils:

A. food sold by a seller whose proper primary NAICS classification is manufacturing in section 311, except subsector 3118 (bakeries);

B. food sold in an unheated state by weight or volume as a single item; or

C. bakery items, including bread, rolls, buns, biscuits, bagels, croissants, pastries, donuts, danish, cakes, tortes, pies, tarts, muffins, bars, cookies, and tortillas.

(d) The rent for every occupancy of a room or rooms in a hotel in this State, except that the tax shall not be imposed upon a permanent resident.

(e) (1) Any admission charge to or for the use of any place of amusement in the State, including charges for admission to race tracks, baseball, football, basketball or exhibitions, dramatic or musical arts performances, motion picture theaters, except charges for admission to boxing, wrestling, kick boxing or combative sports exhibitions, events, performances or contests which charges are taxed under any other law of this State or under section 20 of P.L.1985, c.83 (C.5:2A-20), and, except charges to a patron for admission to, or use of, facilities for sporting activities in which such patron is to be a participant, such as bowling alleys and swimming pools. For any person having the permanent use or possession of a box or seat or lease or a license, other than a season ticket, for the use of a box or seat at a place of amusement, the tax shall be upon the amount for which a similar box or seat is sold for each performance or exhibition at which the box or seat is used or reserved by the holder, licensee or lessee, and shall be paid by the holder, licensee or lessee.

(2) The amount paid as charge of a roof garden, cabaret or other similar place in this State, to the extent that a tax upon such charges has not been paid pursuant to subsection (c) hereof.

(f) (1) The receipts from every sale, except for resale, of intrastate, interstate, or international telecommunications services and ancillary services sourced to this State in accordance with section 29 of P.L.2005, c.126 (C.54:32B-3.4).

(2) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123)

(g) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123)

(h) Charges in the nature of initiation fees, membership fees or dues for access to or use of the property or facilities of a health and fitness, athletic, sporting or shopping club or organization in this State, except for: (1) membership in a club or organization whose members are predominantly age 18 or under; and (2) charges in the nature of membership fees or dues for access to or use of the property or facilities of a health and fitness, athletic, sporting or shopping club or organization that is exempt from taxation pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of section 9 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-9), or that is exempt from taxation pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b) of section 9 of P.L.1966, c.30 and that has complied with subsection (d) of section 9 of P.L.1966, c.30.

(i) The receipts from parking, storing or garaging a motor vehicle, excluding charges for the following: residential parking; employee parking, when provided by an employer or at a facility owned or operated by the employer; municipal parking, storing or garaging; receipts from charges or fees imposed pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1993, c.159 (C.5:12-173.3) or pursuant to an agreement between the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and a casino operator in effect on the date of enactment of P.L.2007, c.105; and receipts from parking, storing or garaging a motor vehicle subject to tax pursuant to any other law or ordinance.

For the purposes of this subsection, "municipal parking, storing or garaging" means any motor vehicle parking, storing or garaging provided by a municipality or county, or a parking authority thereof.

(cf: P.L.2013, c.193, s.1)

5. Section 6 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-6) is amended to read as follows:

6. Unless property or services have already been or will be subject to the sales tax under this act, there is hereby imposed on and there shall be paid by every person a use tax for the use within this State of 7%, except as otherwise exempted under this act, (A) of any tangible personal property or specified digital product purchased at retail, including energy, provided however, that electricity consumed by the generating facility that produced it shall not be subject to tax, (B) of any tangible personal property or specified digital product manufactured, processed or assembled by the user, if items of the same kind of tangible personal property or specified digital products are offered for sale by him in the regular course of business, or if items of the same kind of tangible personal property are not offered for sale by him in the regular course of business and are used as such or incorporated into a structure, building or real property, (C) of any tangible personal property or specified digital product, however acquired, where not acquired for purposes of resale, upon which any taxable services described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) of section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3) have been performed, (D) of intrastate, interstate, or international telecommunications services described in subsection (f) of section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30, (E) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1995, c.184), (F) of utility service provided to persons in this State for use in this State, provided however, that utility service used by the facility that provides the service shall not be subject to tax, (G) of mail processing services described in paragraph (5) of subsection (b) of section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3), (H) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.123), (I) of any services subject to tax pursuant to [subsection] paragraph (11), (12), (13), (14) [or] , (15) , or (16) of subsection (b) of section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3), and (J) of access to or use of the property or facilities of a health and fitness, athletic, sporting or shopping club or organization in this State. For purposes of clause (A) of this section, the tax shall be at the applicable rate, as set forth hereinabove, of the consideration given or contracted to be given for such property or for the use of such property including delivery charges made by the seller, but excluding any credit for property of the same kind accepted in part payment and intended for resale. For the purposes of clause (B) of this section, the tax shall be at the applicable rate, as set forth hereinabove, of the price at which items of the same kind of tangible personal property or specified digital products are offered for sale by the user, or if items of the same kind of tangible personal property are not offered for sale by the user in the regular course of business and are used as such or incorporated into a structure, building or real property the tax shall be at the applicable rate, as set forth hereinabove, of the consideration given or contracted to be given for the tangible personal property manufactured, processed or assembled by the user into the tangible personal property the use of which is subject to use tax pursuant to this section, and the mere storage, keeping, retention or withdrawal from storage of tangible personal property or specified digital products by the person who manufactured, processed or assembled such property shall not be deemed a taxable use by him. For purposes of clause (C) of this section, the tax shall be at the applicable rate, as set forth hereinabove, of the consideration given or contracted to be given for the service, including the consideration for any tangible personal property or specified digital product transferred in conjunction with the performance of the service, including delivery charges made by the seller. For the purposes of clause (D) of this section, the tax shall be at the applicable rate on the charge made by the telecommunications service provider; provided however, that for prepaid calling services and prepaid wireless calling services the tax shall be at the applicable rate on the consideration given or contracted to be given for the prepaid calling service or prepaid wireless calling service or the recharge of the prepaid calling service or prepaid wireless calling service. For purposes of clause (F) of this section, the tax shall be at the applicable rate on the charge made by the utility service provider. For purposes of clause (G) of this section, the tax shall be at the applicable rate on that proportion of the amount of all processing costs charged by a mail processing service provider that is attributable to the service distributed in this State. For purposes of clause (I) of this section, the tax shall be at the applicable rate on the charge made by the service provider. For purposes of clause (J) of this section, the tax shall be at the applicable rate on the charges in the nature of initiation fees, membership fees or dues.

(cf: P.L.2011, c.49, s.4)

6. Section 9 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-9) is amended to read as follows:

9. (a) Except as to motor vehicles sold by any of the following, any sale, service or amusement charge by or to any of the following or any use or occupancy by any of the following shall not be subject to the sales and use taxes imposed under this act:

(1) The State of New Jersey, or any of its agencies, instrumentalities, public authorities, public corporations (including a public corporation created pursuant to agreement or compact with another state) or political subdivisions where it is the purchaser, user or consumer, or where it is a seller of services or property of a kind not ordinarily sold by private persons;

(2) The United States of America, and any of its agencies and instrumentalities, insofar as it is immune from taxation where it is the purchaser, user or consumer, or where it sells services or property of a kind not ordinarily sold by private persons;

(3) The United Nations or any international organization of which the United States of America is a member where it is the purchaser, user or consumer, or where it sells services or property of a kind not ordinarily sold by private persons.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section any sale or amusement charge by or to any of the following or any use or occupancy by any of the following, where such sale, charge, use or occupancy is directly related to the purposes for which the following have been organized, shall not be subject to the sales and use taxes imposed under this act: a corporation, association, trust, or community chest, fund or foundation, organized and operated exclusively (1) for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary or educational purposes; or (2) for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals; or (3) as a volunteer fire company, rescue, ambulance, first aid or emergency company or squad; or (4) as a National Guard organization, post or association, or as a post or organization of war veterans, or the Marine Corps League, or as an auxiliary unit or society of any such post, organization or association; or (5) as an association of parents and teachers of an elementary or secondary public or private school exempt under the provisions of this section. Such a sale, charge, use or occupancy by, or a sale or charge to, an organization enumerated in this subsection, shall not be subject to the sales and use taxes only if no part of the net earnings of the organization inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of the organization is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

(1) the sale of a motor vehicle by an organization described in subsection (b) of this section, unless the purchaser is an organization exempt under this section;

(2) retail sales of tangible personal property or specified digital products by any shop or store operated by an organization described in subsection (b) of this section, unless the tangible personal property or specified digital product was received by the organization as a gift or contribution and the shop or store is one in which substantially all the work in carrying on the business of the shop or store is performed for the organization without compensation and substantially all of the shop's or store's merchandise has been received by the organization as gifts or contributions or unless the purchaser is an organization exempt under this section; or

(3) the sale or use of energy or utility service to or by an organization described in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this section.

(d) Any organization enumerated in subsection (b) of this section shall not be entitled to an exemption granted pursuant to this section unless it has complied with such requirements for obtaining a tax immunity authorization as may be provided in this act.

(e) Where any organization described in subsection (b) of this subsection carries on its activities in furtherance of the purposes for which it was organized, in premises in which, as part of those activities, it operates a hotel, occupancy of rooms in the premises and rents from those rooms received by the organization shall not be subject to tax under the "Sales and Use Tax Act."

(f) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any admissions all of the proceeds of which inure exclusively to the benefit of the following organizations shall not be subject to any of the taxes imposed under subsection (e) of section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3):

(A) an organization described in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this section;

(B) a society or organization conducted for the sole purpose of maintaining symphony orchestras or operas and receiving substantial support from voluntary contributions; or

(D) a police or fire department of a political subdivision of the State, or a volunteer fire company, ambulance, first aid, or emergency company or squad, or exclusively to a retirement, pension or disability fund for the sole benefit of members of a police or fire department or to a fund for the heirs of such members.

(2) The exemption provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply in the case of admissions to:

(A) Any athletic game or exhibition unless the proceeds shall inure exclusively to the benefit of elementary or secondary schools or unless in the case of an athletic game between two elementary or secondary schools, the entire gross proceeds from such game shall inure to the benefit of one or more organizations described in subsection (b) of this section;

(B) Carnivals, rodeos, or circuses in which any professional performer or operator participates for compensation;

(3) Admission charges for admission to the following places or events shall not be subject to any of the taxes imposed under subsection (e) of section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3):

(A) Any admission to agricultural fairs if no part of the net earnings thereof inures to the benefit of any stockholders or members of the association conducting the same; provided the proceeds therefrom are used exclusively for the improvement, maintenance and operation of such agricultural fairs.

(B) Any admission to a home or garden which is temporarily open to the general public as a part of a program conducted by a society or organization to permit the inspection of historical homes and gardens; provided no part of the net earnings thereof inures to the benefit of any private stockholder or individual.

(C) Any admissions to historic sites, houses and shrines, and museums conducted in connection therewith, maintained and operated by a society or organization devoted to the preservation and maintenance of such historic sites, houses, shrines and museums; provided no part of the net earnings thereof inures to the benefit of any private stockholder or individual.

(g) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, any charge for the service of providing space for accommodation to an organization enumerated in subsection (b) of this section, when such service charge is directly related to the purposes for which it has been organized, shall not be subject to the tax imposed by the “Sales and Use Tax Act,” P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.).

(2) If an organization enumerated in subsection (b) of this section carries on its activities in furtherance of the purposes for which it was organized, in a residence or other residential unit in this State in which, as part of those activities, it provides space for the accommodation of a transient guest, any charge for the service of providing space for accommodation in the residence or other residential unit shall not be subject to the tax imposed by the “Sales and Use Tax Act,” P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-1 et seq.).

(cf: P.L.2011, c.49, s.10)

7. (New section) The tax imposed by paragraph (16) of subsection (b) of section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3) shall be computed and paid at the rate of 7% upon receipts received from all services provided on or after the first day of the first full calendar quarter beginning at least 90 days after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), even if such service is provided pursuant to a contract, lease, or other arrangement that is made or entered into prior to the first day of the first full calendar quarter beginning at least 90 days after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). If the provision of any service, taxable pursuant to paragraph (16) of subsection (b) of section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3), covers any period beginning and ending prior to the first day of the first full calendar quarter beginning at least 90 days after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the receipts received from services provided prior to the first day of the first full calendar quarter beginning at least 90 days after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be taxed at the rate of 0%. If the charges for any service, taxable pursuant to paragraph (16) of subsection (b) of section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3), are paid on a weekly, monthly, or other term basis covering any period beginning prior to the first day of the first full calendar quarter beginning at least 90 days after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and ending on or after the first day of the first full calendar quarter beginning at least 90 after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the receipts received from the charges for services provided in each period as set forth hereinabove shall be apportioned on the basis of the ratio of the number of days falling within each of the said periods to the total number of days covered thereby.

8. a. (New section) In addition to any other tax, assessment or use fee authorized by law, there is imposed and shall be paid a transient accommodation fee of 5% upon charges for providing space for accommodation of a transient guest in a residence or other residential unit in this State by a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation for providing space for accommodation on or after the first day of the first full calendar quarter beginning at least 90 days after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), which every person required to collect tax shall collect from the customer when collecting the service charge to which it applies.

b. The transient accommodation fee imposed by subsection a. of this section shall not be imposed upon providing space for accommodation if the purchaser, user or consumer is an entity exempt from the tax imposed on charges for providing space for accommodation under the “Sales and Use Tax Act” pursuant to subsection (a) of section 9 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-2).

c. Notwithstanding any other provisions of P.L.2003, c.114 (C.54:32D-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the director may enter into an agreement with the owner or operator of a transient space marketplace for the purpose of collection and payment of the fee. Upon entering an agreement with the owner or operator of a transient space marketplace, the director may waive the responsibility of a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation to collect and pay the fee. The owner or operator of the transient space marketplace shall agree to be personally liable for the collection and payment of the fee on behalf of a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation.

d. Terms used in this section shall have the meaning given those terms pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-2).

9. Notwithstanding the provisions of the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs, may adopt immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law such rules and regulations as the director determines to be necessary to effectuate the purposes of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), which rules and regulations shall be effective for a period not to exceed 360 days following the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and may thereafter be amended, adopted, or readopted by the director in accordance with the requirements of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).

10. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill imposes the sales and use tax and a transient accommodation fee on charges for providing space for the accommodation of transient guests in a residence or other residential unit by persons engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation through a transient space marketplace. Additionally, the bill authorizes certain municipalities to impose a transient accommodation tax on certain charges for providing space for the accommodation of transient guests. The purpose of this bill is to extend current State and local taxes on hotel and motel occupancies to certain other short-term stays at residential units in this State that have become more accessible for temporary occupancies through the development of web-based short-term rental platforms that facilitate the reservation of and payment for spaces made available for accommodation.

Under current law, the State imposes a sales and use tax and a hotel and motel occupancy fee (at a rate of 7% and 5%, respectively) on the rent for each occupancy of a room or rooms in a hotel in this State. Further, current law authorizes municipalities to impose a local hotel occupancy tax (with varying rates of up to 6%). Current law, however, does not impose the taxes and fees, or other similar taxes and fees, on short-term rentals for occupancies that occur in other types of real property, such as the rental of a spare bedroom in an apartment or the lease of living or sleeping spaces in a single-family house.

This bill subjects charges for providing space for the accommodation of transient guests in a residence or other residential unit through a transient space marketplace in this State to the sales and use tax (7%), a transient accommodation fee (5%), and authorizes a municipality to impose a transient accommodation tax (3%). Under the bill, the lease or rental of a space for the accommodation of a transient guest through a marketplace is subject to the same taxes and fees as the lease or rental of a room or rooms in a hotel in this State.

The bill limits the imposition of the taxes and fee to taxable space for accommodation of a transient guest that is provided by a person engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation. To be engaged in business, the bill stipulates that a person must be engaged in the business of providing space for accommodation to the public as a business activity through the placement of an advertisement, or the listing of the space for accommodation, with a transient space marketplace, and must have cumulative gross receipts from charges for providing space for accommodation to transient guests in this State in excess of $1,000 during the preceding four calendar quarters.

The bill treats permanent residents and charitable, non-profit organizations that lease or rent space for accommodation in line with how those individuals and organizations are treated for purposes of hotel and motel occupancies. The bill provides that charges for providing space for accommodation to a permanent resident are not subject to tax or fee, and provides that charitable, non-profit organizations (that have been granted tax immunity authorization) are exempt from tax and fee collection responsibilities when providing space for accommodation in furtherance of the purposes for which it was organized.