Texas Supreme Court Rules For Sirius XM Over Service Receipt Sourcing

HK
Holland & Knight
Contributor
Holland & Knight is a global law firm with nearly 2,000 lawyers in offices throughout the world. Our attorneys provide representation in litigation, business, real estate, healthcare and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location.
The Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of Sirius XM Radio (Sirius) in a recent decision that could have wide-ranging impact on the methodology...
United States Tax
To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com.

The Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of Sirius XM Radio (Sirius) in a recent decision that could have wide-ranging impact on the methodology for sourcing receipts from the performance of services for purposes of the Texas Margins Tax.

At issue in the case was proper methodology for sourcing Sirius' subscription services receipts from Texas subscribers to its satellite radio service. Under Section 171.103(a)(2) of the Texas Tax Code, receipts from "each service performed in this state" are treated as Texas receipts. Sirius argued that the service it performed for Texas subscribers was the production of radio shows and transmission of a radio signal. Each service is determined to be performed in Texas if the people or equipment performing the service are located in Texas. The state Comptroller argued that the service provided by Sirius to its customers in Texas is the provision of access to its encrypted radio signal, which takes place in Texas. The Comptroller's position is that "performed in the state" means that the "receipt-producing, end-product act" takes place in the state.

The Court rejected the Comptroller's "receipt-producing, end-product act" test for determining the location of a service and concluded that the most "natural" reading of the words "service performed in the state" supports locating the performance of the service at the place where the taxpayer's personnel or equipment is physically doing the work for the customer.

Importance of the Case

The case reaffirms that Texas is an "origin-based" jurisdiction, as opposed to a "destination-based" jurisdiction, with regard to sourcing receipts from the performance of services. Texas looks to where the service is performed rather than where it is received. Clients with receipts from the performance of services should be sourcing these receipts based on where the services were performed.

Refund Opportunities

For clients in the services industry, particularly advertising and broadcasting, origin-based sourcing is in conflict with the sourcing rules promulgated by the Comptroller. Any clients following these sourcing rules should be evaluating whether to file refund claims.

For Texas-based service companies, the Comptroller may look to apply the Sirius decision on audit in situations where the taxpayer has used a customer-based sourcing methodology.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Texas Supreme Court Rules For Sirius XM Over Service Receipt Sourcing

United States Tax
Contributor
Holland & Knight is a global law firm with nearly 2,000 lawyers in offices throughout the world. Our attorneys provide representation in litigation, business, real estate, healthcare and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location.
See More Popular Content From

Mondaq uses cookies on this website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy.

Learn More