Sales and Use Tax Law: vehicles: shell companies.

The Sales and Use Tax Law imposes a tax on retailers measured by the gross receipts from the sale of tangible personal property sold at retail in this state, or on the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property purchased from a retailer for storage, use, or other consumption in this state, measured by sales price. Under the Sales and Use Tax Law, there is a presumption that a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft shipped or brought into this state within 12 months from the date of its purchase was acquired for storage, use, or other consumption in this state and is subject to the use tax if any of specified conditions are satisfied, including where the vehicle is purchased by a resident of this state, as defined. Existing law provides that, for purposes of this presumption, a closely held company or limited liability company is considered a resident of this state if 50% or more of the shares or membership interests are held by shareholders or members who are residents of this state. This bill would additionally provide that a partnership, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership is a resident of this state if 50% of the partnership, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership interests are held by partners that are residents of this state. The bill would also provide that, for purposes of the above-described presumption, a shell company, as defined, is a resident of this state if any shareholder, partner, member, or beneficial owner is a resident of this state. The bill would hold any officer, manager, partner, beneficial owner, or member of a shell company personally liable for any unpaid taxes, and any interest and penalties on those taxes, the nonpayment of which may constitute a crime, due on the purchase of a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft. By expanding the scope of crimes related to the violation of the Sales and Use Tax Law, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also make nonsubstantive and conforming changes to these provisions. This bill would include a change in state statute that would result in a taxpayer paying a higher tax within the meaning of Section 3 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution, and thus would require for passage the approval of 23 of the membership of each house of the Legislature. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.