Section 41.9. Research exemption

(a) Generally. Section 201(c)(5) of the TRC (72 P. S. § 7201(c)(5)) exempts from tax the purchase and use of tangible personal property and services to be used directly in research having as its objective the production of a new or improved product or utility service or method of producing a product or utility service, but in either case not including market research or research having as its objective the improvement of administrative efficiency. The exemption also applies to taxpayers who undertake research under contract for exempt purposes.

(b) Research operations. Research operations include inquiry, investigation, experimentation and testing, and the analysis, critical study, compilation and development of the results thereof. Generally, the immediate products of research operations are information and knowledge even though incident thereto a researcher produces a salable or usable product or prototype thereof. The exemption provided with regard to research operations applies only to those research operations which have for their ultimate purpose the production of a new or improved product or utility service, or new or improved methods of producing a product or utility service.

(c) Direct use limitation. The direct use limitation shall conform with the following:

(1) The exemption applies only to the purchase and use of tangible personal property and otherwise taxable services to be used directly in research operations as described in this section. In determining whether particular property is used directly in research operations, consideration shall be given to the following factors:

(i) The physical proximity of the property or services to the research activities.

(ii) The proximity of the time of the use of the property or services to the research.

(iii) The active, causal relationship between the use of the property or services and the research development.

(2) In order to meet the direct use test, it is essential that the taxpayer establish that such causal relationship exists. The fact that property is essential to the conduct of the research operations does not of itself mean that the property is used directly in research. On the other hand, the fact that the research operations could be successfully conducted in some manner which does not involve use of the property or service in question is not conclusive that such property or service is not used directly in the research operations.

(3) Examples of things purchased by a research establishment which may be used directly in research operations are testing specimens and samples and components thereof, scientific books and periodicals pertaining to the matters which are the subject of the research in question, analogue or digital computers used to make computations in research operations, laboratory equipment and supplies, and equipment and supplies used for the testing, recordation, analysis, interpretation and development of mathematical, scientific, engineering and other research data. In the case of pharmaceutical and biological research, use of live animals and animal feed, bedding, surgical supplies and cages used in connection with animals is deemed to be directly used in the research operations.

(d) Predominant use test. The exemption applies only to those things which are predominantly used directly in research operations. Where property or services are utilized for purposes to which the exemption applies and for purposes to which the exemption is inapplicable, the predominant purpose shall determine whether the sales transaction or use is covered by the exemption.

(e) Other limitations on the exemption. The exemption does not apply to the purchase or use of property or services to be used indirectly in research operations nor is the exemption applicable to the purchase or use of property or services to be used in managerial activities, sales activities, or other nonoperational activities of a research establishment or project. The exemption does not apply to the purchase and use of vehicles required to be registered under the 75 Pa.C.S. § § 101—9909 (relating to the Vehicle Code), or The Tractor Code. The exemption does not apply to the purchase or use of maintenance tools, equipment, supplies, materials or services or to things which otherwise are used in or become part of the maintenance facilities of the research establishment or project. However, replacement and repair parts which become part of equipment or machinery used directly in research operations are exempt from tax. The exemption does not apply to things used in the construction, reconstruction, remodeling, maintenance or repair of the real estate of the research establishment or project, other than such things which comprise machinery or equipment used directly in researching operations.

The provisions of this § 41.9 adopted September 8, 1972, effective September 9, 1972, 2 Pa.B. 1686; amended March 9, 1984, effective March 10, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 844. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (40352) to (40354).

Notation

Notes of Decisions

A laboratory’s analysis, research and testing of client-provided products did not constitute a transformation of property or otherwise satisfy the definition of ‘‘manufacturing’’ as would entitle it to an exclusion from use tax. Lancaster Laboratories, Inc. v. Commonwealth, 578 A.2d 988 (1990); vacated in part 611 A.2d 815 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1992); affirmed in part 631 A.2d 739 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1993).

The extent to which laboratory used equipment directly in testing and inspection of products in manufacturer’s production cycle brought it within testing and inspection exemption to use tax but use of equipment to develop information to be employed in labelling products is neither within testing and inspection nor research provision of manufacturing exemption. Lancaster Laboratories, Inc. v. Commonwealth, 578 A.2d 988 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1990).