Back to Wyoming

HB0229 • 2023

Electronic payment of sales and use taxes.

AN ACT relating to sales and use taxes; clarifying that the department of revenue and county treasurers may collect sales and use taxes electronically; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date.

Budget Taxes
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Representative Larson, JT
Last action
2023-02-27
Official status
enrolled
Effective date
7/1/2023

Plain English Breakdown

The summary provided by the Legislative Service Office is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature.

Allowing Electronic Payment for Sales and Use Taxes

This law allows the Department of Revenue and county treasurers to collect sales and use taxes electronically, sets a processing fee limit, and provides funding for implementation.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows the Department of Revenue and county treasurers to accept electronic payments for sales and use taxes.
  • Limits the processing fees that county treasurers can charge for handling electronic tax payments to cover their costs but not more than three percent (3%).
  • Provides $228,000 from the general fund to help the Department of Revenue and counties set up systems for receiving electronic tax payments.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of Revenue.
  • County treasurers in Wyoming.
  • Taxpayers who pay sales or use taxes electronically.

Terms To Know

Electronic payment
A method to send money over the internet or through a digital system instead of using cash, checks, or paper bills.
Processing fee
Money charged by an organization for handling transactions like electronic payments.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The processing fees are capped at three percent (3%) but must cover the actual costs of processing the transaction.
  • This law only applies to sales and use taxes in Wyoming, not other types of taxes or fees.
  • It is unclear how many taxpayers will choose to pay their taxes electronically.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB0229HW001

Committee of the Whole • Representative Larson, JT

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment adds a condition that sales and use taxes can only be collected electronically after the county treasurer determines the exact amount.

  • Adds language requiring that the amount of sales tax must be determined by the county treasurer before it can be collected electronically.
  • The amendment does not specify how or when the determination is made, only that it must happen before electronic collection.
HB0229HW002

Committee of the Whole • Representative Larson, JT

Adopted

Plain English: This amendment allows county treasurers to charge a fee for processing electronic payments of sales and use taxes to cover the costs of transactions.

  • Adds language allowing county treasurers to charge fees to recover transaction costs when collecting sales and use taxes electronically.
  • The amendment does not specify the amount or method for calculating these fees, leaving those details undefined.
HB0229HS001

Standing Committee • House Transportation, Highways and Military Affair

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment adds a specific appropriation of $228,000 from the general fund to help the Department of Revenue and counties handle electronic payments for sales and use taxes.

  • Adds an appropriation of $228,000 to cover costs related to enabling electronic payment systems for sales and use taxes.
  • Specifies that this funding is available until June 30, 2024, and will revert if not used by then.
  • The amendment does not provide details on how the funds will be allocated or what specific costs they cover beyond enabling electronic payments.
HB0229S3001

3rd reading • Senator Kolb

Withdrawn

Plain English: The amendment changes how much it costs to process electronic payments for sales and use taxes, removing a fixed percentage fee and replacing it with a cost-based fee.

  • Removes the 'three percent (3%)' processing fee for electronic tax transactions.
  • Replaces the removed percentage fee with 'the costs of processing the transaction'.
  • Deletes the word 'transaction' in certain places.
  • The exact cost structure for processing transactions is not specified and may vary.
HB0229S3002

3rd reading • Senator Kolb

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes how fees for electronic payment transactions are calculated, specifying that fees should cover only the costs of processing and cannot exceed a certain amount.

  • Adds language to specify that fees for processing electronic tax payments can only cover the actual cost of processing.
  • Limits these fees so they do not exceed a set maximum.
  • The exact amount of the fee limit is not specified in this amendment text, making it unclear what the specific maximum fee would be.
HB0229SS001

Standing Committee • Senate Revenue Committee

Divided

Plain English: The amendment changes the method of collecting sales and use taxes from electronic to credit card payments and sets a maximum fee of three percent (3%) for these transactions.

  • Changes the collection method from 'electronic' to 'credit card' in two places.
  • Adds a new provision setting a maximum fee of not more than three percent (3%) for the transaction.
  • The amendment does not specify how or when this change will be implemented, nor does it provide details on who would set and enforce the three percent fee limit.
HB0229SS001.01

Standing Committee • Senate Revenue Committee

Corrected, Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the bill to allow a fee of no more than three percent when collecting sales and use taxes electronically.

  • Adds a limit on fees for electronic collection of sales and use taxes at not more than three percent.
  • The exact circumstances under which this fee can be applied are not detailed in the amendment text.
HB0229SS001.02

Standing Committee • Senate Revenue Committee

Corrected, Failed

Plain English: The amendment changes the bill to allow sales and use taxes to be collected using credit cards instead of electronic methods.

  • Changes 'electronic' collection method to 'credit card' on page 4, line 7.
  • Changes 'electronic' collection method to 'credit card' on page 7, line 9.
  • The amendment does not provide details about how credit card payments will be processed or secured.

Bill History

  1. 2023-02-27 LSO

    Assigned Chapter Number 123

  2. 2023-02-27 Governor

    Governor Signed HEA No. 0057

  3. 2023-02-23 Senate

    S President Signed HEA No. 0057

  4. 2023-02-22 House

    H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0057

  5. 2023-02-22 LSO

    Assigned Number HEA No. 0057

  6. 2023-02-22 House

    H Concur:Passed 62-0-0-0-0

  7. 2023-02-21 House

    H Received for Concurrence

  8. 2023-02-21 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Passed 31-0-0-0-0

  9. 2023-02-17 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Laid Back

  10. 2023-02-16 Senate

    S 2nd Reading:Passed

  11. 2023-02-15 Senate

    S COW:Passed

  12. 2023-02-15 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  13. 2023-02-15 Senate

    S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 4-1-0-0-0

  14. 2023-02-13 Senate

    :Rerefer to S02 - Appropriations

  15. 2023-02-09 Senate

    S03 - Revenue:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0

  16. 2023-02-07 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S03 - Revenue

  17. 2023-02-07 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  18. 2023-02-06 House

    H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-0

  19. 2023-02-03 House

    H 2nd Reading:Passed

  20. 2023-02-02 House

    H COW:Passed

  21. 2023-02-01 House

    H Placed on General File

  22. 2023-02-01 House

    H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 6-0-1-0-0

  23. 2023-01-31 House

    :Rerefer to H02 - Appropriations

  24. 2023-01-31 House

    H08 - Transportation:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 8-1-0-0-0

  25. 2023-01-25 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H08 - Transportation

  26. 2023-01-25 House

    H Received for Introduction

  27. 2023-01-24 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 23LSO-0691
Bill No.:

HB0229

Effective:

7/1/2023

LSO No.:

23LSO-0691

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0057

Chapter No.:

123

Prime Sponsor:

Larson, JT

Catch Title:

Electronic payment of sales and use taxes.

Subject:

Electronic payment of sales and use taxes

Summary/Major Elements:

This act clarifies that the Department of Revenue and county treasurers are authorized to collect sales and use taxes electronically.

This act also specifies that county treasurers may charge a processing fee to recoup fees that are charged to the county for processing electronic payments.

The act makes an appropriation of $228,000.00 to the Department of Revenue for costs to enable the Department and counties to receive electronic payments of sales and use taxes.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
23LSO-0691

ORIGINAL House

ENGROSSED
Bill No
.
HB0229

ENROLLED ACT NO. 57,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2023 General Session

AN ACT relating to sales and use taxes; clarifying that the department of revenue and county treasurers may collect sales and use taxes electronically; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 39
‑
15
‑
107(a)(i), (b)(i) and 39
‑
16
‑
107(a)(i), (ii) and (b)(ii) are amended to read:

39
‑
15
‑
107.

Compliance; collection procedures.

(a)

Returns, reports and preservation of records.

The following shall apply:

(i)

Each vendor shall on or before the last day of each month file a true return showing the preceding month's gross sales and remit all taxes to the department. The returns shall contain such information and be made in the manner as the department by regulation prescribes.
The department may provide an option for the return to be submitted and for any taxes to be remitted electronically.
The department may allow extensions for filing returns and paying the taxes by regulation, but no extension may be for more than ninety (90) days. If the total tax to be remitted by a vendor during any month is less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00), a quarterly or annual return as authorized by the department, and remittance in lieu of the monthly return may be made on or before the last day of the month following the end of the quarter or year for which the tax is collected. If the accounting methods regularly used by any vendor are such that reports of sales made during a calendar month would impose unnecessary hardships, the department after receiving a formal request filed by the vendor may accept reports at intervals as would be more convenient to the taxpayer. Any vendor shall report whether the vendor sells nicotine products, as defined by W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
101(a)(xi), in this state to the department in the form and manner required by the department. The department may reject any report required under this paragraph of any vendor who does not comply with the nicotine sales reporting requirements. Every person purchasing goods or services taxable by this article who does not pay the tax owed to a vendor shall, on or before the last day of each month, file a return showing the gross purchases made during the preceding month and remit all taxes due to the department. The return shall contain such information and be made in the manner as the department shall prescribe by rule and regulation. The department, by rule and regulation, may allow an extension for filing a return and paying any tax due, but no extension shall be granted for more than ninety (90) days;

(b)

Payment.

The following shall apply:

(i)

Except as provided by paragraph (viii) of this subsection, no vendor shall collect taxes imposed by this article upon the sale of motor vehicles, house trailers, trailer coaches, trailers or semitrailers. The taxes imposed shall be collected by the county treasurer prior to the first registration in Wyoming and not upon subsequent registration by the same applicant.
The county treasurer may allow the taxes to be paid electronically after the amount of sales tax has been determined by the county treasurer. The county treasurer may charge a fee of not more than the costs of processing the transaction but not to exceed a fee of three percent (3%) as necessary to recoup fees incurred due to electronic payments.
The county treasurer shall provide the applicant a receipt specifying the amount of sales tax collected and noting any valid exemption from sales tax. The county treasurer shall collect and remit to the department the tax in effect in the county of the owner's principal residence;

39
‑
16
‑
107.

Compliance; collection procedures.

(a)

Returns, reports and preservation of records.

The following shall apply:

(i)

Every vendor shall collect the tax imposed by this article and is liable for the entire amount of taxes imposed. The taxes are due and payable on the last day of the month following the month in which they were collected or as required by the department and each vendor shall on or before the last day of each month file a return showing the total sales of tangible personal property subject to the tax imposed by this article sold during the preceding month and remit all taxes due to the department. The returns shall contain such information required by the department.
The department may provide an option for the return to be submitted and for any taxes to be remitted electronically.
Any vendor shall report whether the vendor sells nicotine products, as defined by W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
101(a)(xiii), in this state to the department in the form and manner required by the department. The department may reject any report required under this paragraph of any vendor who does not comply with the nicotine sales reporting requirements.

If the total tax to be remitted by a vendor is less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) a quarterly or annual return as authorized by the department, and remittance in lieu of the monthly return may be made on or before the last day of the month following the end of the quarter or year for which the tax is collected. Returns shall be signed by the vendor or his agent;

(ii)

Every person storing, using or consuming tangible personal property purchased from a vendor who does not maintain a place of business in this state is liable for the tax imposed by this article and shall on or before the last day of each month file a return showing the total sales price of tangible personal property purchased subject to the tax imposed by this article during the preceding month and remit all taxes due to the department.
The department may provide an option for the return to be submitted and for any taxes to be remitted electronically.
If the total tax to be remitted by the person during any month is less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00), a quarterly or annual return as authorized by the department, and remittance in lieu of the monthly return may be made on or before the last day of the month following the end of the quarter or year for which the tax is collected.

The return shall contain such information as requested by the department. Returns shall be signed by the person liable for the tax or his agent;

(b)

Payment.

The following shall apply:

(ii)

Except as provided by paragraph (iv) of this subsection, no vendor shall collect the taxes imposed by this article upon the sale of motor vehicles, house trailers, trailer coaches, trailers or semitrailers as defined by W.S. 31
‑
1
‑
101. The taxes imposed shall be collected by the county treasurer prior to the first registration in Wyoming and not upon subsequent registration by the same owner.
The county treasurer may allow the taxes to be paid electronically after the amount of taxes has been determined by the county treasurer. The county treasurer may charge a fee of not more than the costs of processing the transaction but not to exceed a fee of three percent (3%) as necessary to recoup fees incurred due to electronic payments.
The county treasurer shall provide the applicant a receipt specifying the amount of use tax collected and noting any valid exemption from use tax. The county treasurer shall collect and remit to the department the tax in effect in the county of the owner's principal residence. The tax shall not be collected if previously registered by the same nonresident owner in another state. The county treasurer may also collect the tax due and any interest, penalties or costs of collection through the use of a collection agency or by the filing of a civil action;

Section 2.

There is appropriated two hundred twenty-eight thousand dollars ($228,000.00) from the general fund to the department of revenue for any costs to enable the department of revenue and counties to receive electronic payments of sales and use taxes as provided in this act. This appropriation shall be for the period beginning with the effective date of this act and ending June 30, 2024. This appropriation shall not be transferred or expended for any other purpose and any unobligated, unexpended funds remaining from this appropriation shall revert as provided by law on June 30, 2024. It is the intent of the legislature that this appropriation not be included in the standard budget for the department of revenue for the immediately succeeding fiscal biennium.

Section 3
.

This act is effective July 1, 2023
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1