Tax 11.51(4)(d)4.a.a. For a retailer whose percentage determined under subd. 2. is greater than 75 percent, an item sold by the retailer that contains 4 or more servings packaged as one item and sold for a single price does not become prepared food simply because the retailer makes utensils available to the purchaser of the item. Tax 11.51(4)(d)4.b.b. For a retailer whose percentage determined under subd. 2. is greater than 75 percent, an item sold by the retailer that contains 4 or more servings packaged as one item and sold for a single price does become prepared food if the retailer physically gives or hands utensils to the purchaser of the item, except that plates, bowls, glasses, or cups necessary for the purchaser to receive the food, need only be made available to the purchaser. Tax 11.51(4)(d)4.c.c. For purposes of subd. 4. a. and b., serving sizes are based on the information contained on the label of each item sold, except that, if the item sold has no label, the serving size is based on the retailer’s reasonable determination. Tax 11.51(4)(d)5.a.a. Except as provided in subd. 5. b., if a retailer sells food items that have a utensil placed in a package by a person other than the retailer, the utensils are considered to be provided by the retailer. Tax 11.51(4)(d)5.b.b. Except as provided in subds. 3. and 4., if a retailer sells food items that have a utensil placed in a package by a person other than the retailer and the person’s primary classification in the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS), 2002 edition, published by the federal office of management and budget, is manufacturing under subsector 311, the utensils are not considered to be provided by the retailer. Tax 11.51(4)(d)6.a.a. For purposes of subd. 1. a., a retailer shall determine the percentage for the retailer’s tax year or business fiscal year based on the retailer’s data from the retailer’s prior tax or business fiscal year as soon as practical after the retailer’s accounting records are available, but no later than 90 days after the day on which the retailer’s tax or business fiscal year begins. Tax 11.51(4)(d)6.b.b. For retailers with more than one establishment in Wisconsin, a single determination under subd. 1. a. that combines the information for all of the retailer’s establishments in Wisconsin shall be made annually, and will apply to all of the retailer’s establishments in Wisconsin. Tax 11.51(4)(d)6.c.c. If a retailer has no prior tax or business fiscal year in Wisconsin, the retailer shall make a good faith estimate of its percentage under subd. 1. a. for the retailer’s first tax or business fiscal year and shall adjust the estimate prospectively after the first 3 months of the retailer’s operations if the actual percentage is materially different from the estimated percentage. Tax 11.51(5)(5) Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A grocer’s receipts from SNAP, formerly known as the federal food stamp program, are not subject to sales tax even if the items purchased by the consumer are not exempt food or food ingredients under s. 77.54 (20n), Stats. Tax 11.51 NoteNote: The interpretations in s. Tax 11.51 are effective under the general sales and use tax law on and after September 1, 1969, except: (a) Sales of cigarettes became taxable on September 1, 1975, pursuant to Chapter 39, Laws of 1975; (b) Magazines and periodicals sold over-the-counter became taxable on September 1, 1983, pursuant to 1983 Wis. Act 27; (c) The definitions of “meals” and “sandwiches” and the tax treatment of prepackaged food combinations became effective August 1, 1997, pursuant to 1997 Wis. Act 237; The definitions of “candy,” “dietary supplement,” “food and food ingredient,” “prepared food,” and “soft drink,” and the exemption for food and food ingredients became effective October 1, 2009, pursuant to 2009 Wis. Act 2; and (d) The change of the term “gross receipts” to “sales price” and the separate impositions of tax on coins and stamps sold above face value under s. 77.52 (1) (b), Stats., certain leased property affixed to real property under s. 77.52 (1) (c), Stats., and digital goods under s. 77.52 (1) (d), Stats., became effective October 1, 2009, pursuant to 2009 Wis. Act 2. Tax 11.51 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, December, 1977, No. 264, eff. 1-1-78; am. (2) (b), Register, June, 1983, No. 330, eff. 7-1-83; am. (2) (a) and (b), Register, September, 1984, No. 345, eff. 10-1-84; am. (1), (2) (a), (b) and (c) (intro.), 2., 3., and 4., cr. (2) (c) 5. and (3), Register, June, 1991, No. 426, eff. 7-1-91; am. (2) (a) and (b), Register, December, 1992, No. 444, eff. 1-1-93; am. (1) and (2) (a) and (b), Register, December, 1996, No. 492, eff. 1-1-97; am. (1) and (2) (a) and (b), r. (2) (c) (intro.), renum. (2) (c) 1. to 4. to be (3) (a) to (d), (2) (c) 5. to be (3) (g) 1., (3) to be (4) and am. (3) (c) and (d), (3) (g) 1.; cr. (3) (intro.), (e), (f), (g) 2. and (h), Register, October, 1999, No. 526, eff. 11-1-99; EmR0924: emerg. r. and recr. eff. 10-1-09; CR 09-090: r. and recr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; correction in (2) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register May 2010 No. 653; CR 10-094: am. (2) (a), (3) (a) 2., (d) 3., (e) 2., (5) Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10; CR 12-014: am. (2) (a), (b), r. and recr. (3) (a) 2., cr. (3) (a) 3. to 10., am. (4) (b) 1. (Example), 2. (Example 1), cr. (4) (b) 3. (Example), (c) 3. (Examples), 4. (Example), am. (4) (d) 1. (intro.), a., b., cr. (4) (d) 1. b. (Examples) Register August 2012 No. 680, eff. 9-1-12; CR 16-053: am. (2) (a), (b) Register June 2018 No. 750, eff. 7-1-18. Tax 11.52Tax 11.52 Coin-operated vending machines and amusement devices. Tax 11.52(1)(1) Scope. This section applies to all sales from coin-operated machines, except those located on army, air force, navy, or marine corps exchanges where the operator leases the machines to those exchanges which acquire title to and sell the merchandise through the machines to authorized purchasers from those exchanges. Tax 11.52(2)(a)(a) “Heated” means the food or beverages have been prepared for sale in a heated condition and which are sold at any temperature higher than the air temperature of the room or place where they are sold. Tax 11.52(2)(c)(c) “Retailer” for purposes of this section means either of the following: Tax 11.52(2)(c)1.1. Any person who owns or possesses coin-operated vending machines or amusement devices, who controls the operations of the machines as by stocking or removing the receipts from the machines or devices, who has access to the machines or devices for any purpose connected with the sale of merchandise or services through the machines or devices, and whose compensation is based, in whole or in part, upon receipts from sales made through the machines or devices. Tax 11.52(2)(c)2.2. A person who is responsible for providing laundry, dry cleaning, photographic, photocopy, or other taxable services through vending machines. Tax 11.52 NoteNote: If there is a question of who is the retailer for a single machine or device, a determination regarding who is the retailer liable for tax may be obtained by writing to: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, PO Box 8902, Madison, WI 53708-8902.
Tax 11.52(3)(a)(a) Retailers of tangible personal property, items, property and goods under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), and (d), Stats., and taxable services sold through coin-operated vending machines or devices dispensing taxable tangible personal property, items, property, or goods under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), or (d), Stats., or services shall obtain a seller’s permit. One permit shall be sufficient for all the machines of each retailer. Tax 11.52 NoteNote: Refer to s. Tax 11.002 for a description of permit requirements, how to apply for a permit, and the 15-day time period within which the department is required to act on permit applications. Tax 11.52(3)(b)(b) A notice must be affixed to each coin-operated machine or device showing the retailer’s name, address and seller’s permit number. Tax 11.52(4)(4) Taxable receipts. Taxable receipts include receipts from: Tax 11.52(4)(a)6.d.d. Drugs and other medical supplies, such as aspirin, bandages, and suntan lotion. Tax 11.52(4)(b)(b) Coin-operated machines which provide a taxable service, such as telephones, car washes, televisions, vacuums, parking meters, shoe shine machines, bowling ball cleaning machines and coin-operated amusement devices such as juke boxes, pinball machines, shuffleboards, pool tables, slot racing, mechanical rides and games, and penny arcades. Tax 11.52(4)(c)(c) Coin-operated machines of non-governmental retailers located on army, navy, or air force installations, hospitals, or other facilities of the United States government. Tax 11.52(5)(5) Nontaxable receipts. Receipts from the following are not taxable: Tax 11.52(5)(a)(a) Laundry, dry cleaning and pressing machines when the service is performed by the customer through the use of self-service machines. Tax 11.52(5)(d)(d) Hospitals sales from vending machines of food and food ingredients, except soft drinks to patients, staff, or visitors. Tax 11.52(5)(e)(e) Sales from a vending machine of food and food ingredients except, candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements, and prepared foods. Tax 11.52(5m)(a)(a) Tangible personal property sold to a person who provides a taxable service through an amusement device, as defined in s. 77.54 (65m) (b), Stats., is exempt from sales and use tax if the property is used exclusively as a prize awarded or transferred through the use of the amusement device. Tax 11.52(5m)(b)(b) An amusement device operator shall pay sales or use tax on purchases of tangible personal property that is used to play an amusement device but not awarded as a prize. Examples include tokens used to play the amusement device and paper tickets dispensed from the amusement device and redeemed for prizes. Tax 11.52(6)(a)(a) The receipts from the sale of taxable property, items, goods, or services from vending machines and amusement devices are subject to sales tax. Thus, taxable receipts include, for example, receipts from property, items, goods, and services selling for one, 5, and 10 cents and more. No deduction shall be permitted for the cost of the property, item, good, or service sold, materials used, labor or service cost, or any other expense, including commissions paid to place machines in an establishment. Tax 11.52(6)(b)(b) Sales tax collected from customers may be deducted from the total receipts before computing the tax payable, if customers are notified the prices include sales tax. If customers are not notified that the prices include sales tax, no deduction shall be allowed. The notification of the customer may be made by either: Tax 11.52(6)(b)1.1. Conspicuously posting the bracket system charts issued by the department. Tax 11.52(6)(b)2.2. Conspicuously posting a sign that states “Prices Include Sales Tax.” Tax 11.52(6)(c)(c) Each retailer shall maintain adequate and complete records including: Tax 11.52(6)(c)3.3. Purchases and inventories of all merchandise sold through machines. Tax 11.52(6)(c)5.5. Purchase records of all machines and the cost of all supplies of which the retailer is deemed to be the user or consumer. Tax 11.52 NoteExample: Purchase records shall be maintained for a vending machine or juke box, including repairs and parts, and records or compact discs used in the juke box.
Tax 11.52(7)(7) Sale, license, lease, or rental of machines. Tax 11.52(7)(a)(a) Except as provided in pars. (b), (c), (d) and (e), receipts from the sale, lease, rental, or license to use coin-operated machines and attachments, parts and supplies for the machines are subject to the sales tax. Taxable receipts include sales to persons providing a service, such as laundry and dry cleaning service. If the machines, attachments, parts, or supplies are purchased for use in Wisconsin from an unregistered out-of-state supplier, the purchaser shall remit the use tax directly to the department. Tax 11.52(7)(b)(b) Nontaxable receipts include the lease of coin-operated machines by non-governmental retailers to exchanges of the army, air force, navy, or marine corps which acquire title to and sell merchandise through the machines to authorized purchasers from such exchanges. Tax 11.52(7)(c)(c) Machines purchased exclusively for license, lease, or rental to others may be purchased by the lessor without tax if the lessor gives an exemption certificate to the lessor’s supplier. If the lessor intends to make any use of the machines other than license, lease, or rental, an exemption certificate claiming resale may not be given. In either event, the lessor’s rental receipts are taxable. Tax 11.52(7)(d)(d) Music sold in a tangible or digital form to a person described in s. 77.54 (63), Stats., for use in a jukebox is exempt from sales and use tax if the music is used exclusively for the jukebox. When the music is sold with a jukebox, the music is exempt as a separate sale from the jukebox if the sales price of the music is stated separately from the sales price of the jukebox on the invoice or bill of sale the seller gives to the purchaser. Tax 11.52(7)(e)1.1. A video or electronic game sold in a tangible or digital form to a person in the business of providing a taxable service through an amusement device, as defined in s. 77.54 (65m) (b), Stats., is exempt from sales and use tax if the video or electronic game is used exclusively for the amusement device. For exemption, the sales price of the video or electronic game shall be stated separately from the amusement device on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar document the seller gives to the purchaser. Tax 11.52(7)(e)2.2. Persons that are not in the business of providing taxable services through amusement devices are required to pay sales or use tax on purchases of video or electronic games used for amusement devices. Tax 11.52(7)(e)3.3. The operator of any device, machine, or game that is illegal to operate in Wisconsin, is required to pay sales or use tax on the purchase of the video or electronic game that is used for such device, machine, or game. Tax 11.52 NoteExamples: 1) Distributor is in the business of providing taxable admission services through amusement devices. Distributor owns an arcade game console that is an amusement device. The arcade game console is placed in a tavern. The tavern owner gives the receipts from customers playing arcade games on the console to Distributor, less a commission. Distributor purchases a software upgrade that is an electronic game played on the console, but does not replace the arcade game console. Distributor’s purchase of the software upgrade is exempt.
Tax 11.52 Note2) Arcade purchases a pinball machine it used in providing taxable admission services. The invoice to Arcade separately states the purchase price of the pinball machine from the video game component of the pinball machine. Arcade’s purchase of the video game that is used in the pinball machine is exempt from tax because it is separately stated on the invoice. Arcade’s purchase of the pinball machine is taxable.
Tax 11.52 Note3) Tavern purchases a dart board that is an amusement device. Customers insert $1 to use the dart board. Although Tavern’s primary business is selling food and drinks, its business also includes taxable admission services. Tavern’s purchase of the dart board is taxable. Tavern’s purchase of the dart board’s game component is not taxable if separately stated on the invoice.
Tax 11.52 Note4) Distributor is in the business of providing taxable admission services through amusement devices. Distributor purchases a video gambling machine that will be placed in a tavern. A commission will be paid to the tavern based on receipts from the video gambling machine. Distributor’s invoice for the video gambling machine separately states the purchase price of the video gambling machine from the electronic game that is a component of the video gambling machine. Distributor’s purchase of the video gambling machine and the electronic game is taxable, even though the electronic game is separately stated. The video gambling machine is not an amusement device because it is a device, machine, or game that is illegal to operate in Wisconsin. The operation of video gambling machines is in violation of Wisconsin law, as provided in ss. 945.03 and 945.04, Stats. Tax 11.52 NoteNote: Section Tax 11.52 interprets ss. 77.51 (1fm), (3n), (3t), (13), and (17w), 77.52 (1), (1m), (2) (a) 2., 6., 7., 10., and 11., and (2m), and 77.54 (20n), (63), and (65m), Stats. Tax 11.52 NoteNote: The interpretations in s. Tax 11.52 are effective under the general sales and use tax law on and after September 1, 1969, except: (a) The definitions of “candy,” “dietary supplement,” “food and food ingredient,” and “soft drink,” the exemption for food and food ingredients, the change of the term “gross receipts” to “sales price,” and the separate impositions of tax on coins and stamps sold above face value under s. 77.52 (1) (b), Stats., certain leased property affixed to real property under s. 77.52 (1) (c), Stats., and digital goods under s. 77.52 (1) (d), Stats., became effective October 1, 2009, pursuant to 2009 Wis. Act 2; (b) Receipts from all self-service laundry, dry cleaning, pressing, and dyeing machines, including those that are not coin-operated, are not taxable effective October 1, 2013, pursuant to 2013 Wis. Act 20; (c) The exemption for music sold to a jukebox operator for use in jukeboxes in s. 77.54 (63), Stats., became effective June 1, 2016, pursuant to 2015 Wis. Act 251; and (d) The exemptions for a video or electronic game sold to an amusement device operator for use in the amusement device and prizes awarded or transferred through the use of the amusement device under s. 77.54 (65m) became effective December 1, 2017, pursuant to 2017 Wis. Act 59. Tax 11.52 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, January, 1978, No. 265, eff. 2-1-78; am. (3) (a) 1. and r. (4) (c), Register, December, 1983, No. 336, eff. 1-1-84; am. (1) (intro.), (3) (a) 1., (5) (c) 5. and (6) (a), Register, June, 1991, No. 426, eff. 7-1-91; EmR0924: emerg. r. and recr. eff. 10-1-09; CR 09-090: r. and recr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; correction to numbering of (4) (a) 4m. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register May 2010 No. 653; CR 14-006: am. (5) (a) Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14; CR 19-112: cr. (7) (d) Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20; correction in (7) (d) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register June 2020 No. 774; CR 20-018: cr. (5m), am. (7) (a), cr. (7) (e) Register July 2021 No. 787, eff. 8-1-21. Tax 11.53(1)(1) Definition. In this section, “temporary event” means an activity at one place of operation for a brief duration where taxable sales are made. A place of operation includes a fair, carnival, circus, festival or portable roadside stand. Tax 11.53(2)(2) Permits for temporary events. Except as provided in sub. (3), a person conducting business as a retailer at a temporary event shall hold a seller’s permit.
