MBT: PURCHASES FROM OTHER FIRMS S.B. 192: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 192 (as introduced 2-4-09)
Sponsor: Senator Nancy Cassis
Committee: Finance


Date Completed: 1-14-10

CONTENT The bill would amend the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) Act to remove from a taxpayer's modified gross receipts tax base, payments by joint ventures for construction management, architectural, and engineering services for a construction project under a contractual agreement specific to that project.

Except as otherwise provided, the Act imposes a modified gross receipts tax on every taxpayer with nexus in the State. The tax is imposed on the modified gross receipts tax base, after allocation or apportionment to the State, at a rate of 0.8%. The modified gross receipts tax base is a taxpayer's gross receipts, subject to certain adjustments, less purchases from other firms before apportionment under the Act.


Under the bill, "purchases from other firms" would include payments by joint ventures to a person included in Major Group 87 under the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code, as compiled by the United States Department of Labor, for construction management, architectural, and engineering services for a construction project under a contractual agreement specific to that project.

(Major Group 87 includes establishments that are primarily engaged in providing engineering, architectural, and surveying services; accounting, auditing, and bookkeeping services; research, development, and testing services; and management and public relations services.)


MCL 208.1113 Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would reduce General Fund revenue by an unknown amount, depending upon several factors, including how much business with affected groups is accomplished through joint ventures and the specific characteristics of affected agreements and projects. Assuming that joint ventures account for approximately 10% of activity referred to by the bill, and that firms classified under SIC 15-17 (Construction) do not reclassify themselves under SIC Group 87 (the group affected by the bill), the bill would reduce MBT revenue to the General Fund by approximately $6 million per year.

Fiscal Analyst: David Zin

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb192/0910