§ 26-52-510 - Arkansas Statutes

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Direct Pay Permits are Allowed by Arkansas

26-52-510. Direct payment of tax by consumer-user -- New and used motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers.

(a) (1) On or before the time for registration as prescribed by 27-14-903(a), a consumer shall pay to the Director of the Department of Finance and Administration the tax levied by this chapter and all other gross receipts taxes levied by the state with respect to the sale of a new or used motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer required to be licensed in this state, instead of the taxes being collected by the dealer or seller.

(2) The director shall require the payment of the taxes at the time of registration before issuing a license for the new or used motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer.

(3) (A) The taxes apply regardless of whether the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is sold by a vehicle dealer or an individual, corporation, or partnership not licensed as a vehicle dealer.

(B) The exemption in 26-52-401(17) for isolated sales does not apply to the sale of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer.

(4) If the consumer fails to pay the taxes when due:

(A) There is assessed a penalty equal to ten percent (10%) of the amount of taxes due; and

(B) Before the director issues a license for the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, the consumer shall pay to the director the penalty under subdivision (a)(4)(A) of this section and the taxes due.

(b) (1) (A) Except as provided in this section, when a used motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is taken in trade as a credit or part payment on the sale of a new or used motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, the tax levied by this chapter and all other gross receipts taxes levied by the state shall be paid on the net difference between the total consideration for the new or used vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer sold and the credit for the used vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer taken in trade.

(B) However, if the total consideration for the sale of the new or used motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is less than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), no tax shall be due.

(C) (i) When a used motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is sold by a consumer, rather than traded-in as a credit or part payment on the sale of a new or used motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, and the consumer subsequently purchases a new or used vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer of greater value within forty-five (45) days of the sale, the tax levied by this chapter and all other gross receipts taxes levied by the state shall be paid on the net difference between the total consideration for the new or used vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer purchased subsequently and the amount received from the sale of the used vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer sold in lieu of a trade-in.

(ii) (a) Upon registration of the new or used motor vehicle, a consumer claiming the deduction provided by subdivision (b)(1)(C)(i) of this section shall provide a bill of sale signed by all parties to the transaction which reflects the total consideration paid to the seller for the vehicle.

(b) A copy of the bill of sale shall be deposited with the revenue office at the time of registration of the new or used motor vehicle.

(c) The deduction provided by this section shall not be allowed unless the taxpayer claiming the deduction provides a copy of a bill of sale signed by all parties to the transaction which reflects the total consideration paid to the seller for the vehicle.

(iii) If the taxpayer claiming the deduction provided in this section fails to provide a bill of sale signed by all parties to the transaction which reflects the total consideration paid to the seller for the vehicle, tax shall be due on the total consideration paid for the new or used vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer without any deduction for the value of the item sold.

(2) (A) (i) When a motor vehicle dealer removes a vehicle from its inventory and the vehicle is used by the dealership as a service vehicle, the dealer shall register the vehicle, obtain a certificate of title, and pay sales tax on the listed retail price of the new vehicle.

(ii) (a) When the motor vehicle dealer returns the service vehicle to inventory as a used vehicle and replaces it with a new vehicle for dealership use as a service vehicle, the dealer shall pay sales tax on the difference between the listed retail price of the new service vehicle to be used by the dealership and the value of the used service vehicle being returned to inventory.

(b) The value of the used service vehicle shall be the highest listed wholesale price reflected in the most current edition of the National Automotive Dealers Association's Official Used Car Guide.

(B) (i) As used in this subsection, "service vehicle" means a motor vehicle driven exclusively by an employee of the dealership and used either to transport dealership customers or dealership parts and equipment.

(ii) "Service vehicle" does not include motor vehicles which are rented by the dealership, used as demonstration vehicles, used by dealership employees for personal use, or used to haul or pull other vehicles.

(c) All parts and accessories purchased by motor vehicle sellers for resale or used by them for the reconditioning or rebuilding of used motor vehicles intended for resale are exempt from gross receipts tax, provided that the motor vehicle seller meets the requirements of 26-52-401(12)(A) and applicable regulations promulgated by the director.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to repeal any exemption from this chapter.

(e) A credit is not allowed for sales or use taxes paid to another state with respect to the purchase of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that was first registered by the purchaser in Arkansas.

(f) (1) (A) Any motor vehicle dealer licensed pursuant to 27-14-601(a)(6) who has purchased a used motor vehicle upon payment of all applicable registration and title fees may register the vehicle for the sole purpose of obtaining a certificate of title to the vehicle without payment of gross receipts tax, except as provided in subdivision (f)(1)(B) of this section.

(B) (i) The sale of a motor vehicle from the original franchise dealer to any other dealer, person, corporation, or other entity other than a franchise dealer of the same make of vehicle and which sale is reflected on the statement of origin shall be subject to gross receipts tax.

(ii) The vehicle shall be considered a used motor vehicle which shall be registered and titled, and tax shall be paid at the time of registration.

(iii) The provisions of subdivision (f)(1)(A) of this section shall not apply in those instances.

(2) No license plate shall be provided with the registration, and the used vehicle titled by a dealer under this subsection may not be operated on the public highways unless there is displayed on the used vehicle a dealer's license plate issued under the provisions of 27-14-601(a)(6)(B)(ii).

(g) (1) (A) For purposes of this section, the total consideration for a used motor vehicle shall be presumed to be the greater of the actual sales price as provided on the bill of sale, invoice or financing agreement, or the average loan value price of the vehicle as listed in the most current edition of a publication which is generally accepted by the industry as providing an accurate valuation of used vehicles.

(B) If the published loan value exceeds the invoiced price, then the taxpayer must establish to the director's satisfaction that the price reflected on the invoice or other document is true and correct.

(C) If the director determines that the invoiced price is not the actual selling price of the vehicle, then the total consideration will be deemed to be the published loan value.

(2) (A) For purposes of this section, the total consideration for a new or used trailer or semitrailer shall be the actual sales price as provided on a bill of sale, invoice, or financing agreement.

(B) The director may require additional information to conclusively establish the true selling price of the new or used trailer or semitrailer.