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DIRECTIVE Subject: Complimentary Meals or Snacks This Directive replaces Sales and Use Tax Bulletin No. 27 issued July 20, 1989. Sales and Use Tax Technical Bulletins 19-10 and 27-3 have also been revised. This Directive clarifies the application of sales and use tax to food that is purchased by a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast inn, or similar business and is used to provide a complimentary meal or snack to a guest. A meal or snack is "complimentary" when the business does not make a separate charge for the meal or snack. The application of sales and use tax depends on whether the business operates a restaurant or other eating place where prepared food and drink is sold for immediate or on-premises consumption. If a business does not operate a restaurant or similar place in which it sells prepared food, the food is subject to the applicable State tax and local tax when it is purchased. This is because the food is used by the business rather than resold. The food is an operating expense similar to other expenses subject to sales or use tax such as linens, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. If a business operates a restaurant or similar place that sells prepared food, G.S. 105-164.3(15) states that the food used in providing the complimentary meal or snack is considered sold along with the prepared meals and is not subject to sales or use tax. The business should purchase all food for resale without paying tax on the food by completing a Certificate of Resale, Form E-590. The business is liable for collecting and remitting the 4% State tax and 2% local tax on the retail sales price of the prepared meals or snacks when sold. If you have questions about this Directive, you may call the Office Services Division, Taxpayer Assistance Section of the North Carolina Department of Revenue at (919)733-3661. You may also write to the Division at P.O. Box 25000, Raleigh, N.C. 27602. Last modified on: 10/31/07 03:37:41 PM. |
