Measure X Committee

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Purpose

On November 8, 2016,  the citizens of Wasco approved and authorized a 1% sales tax increase known as Measure X, or the Enhanced City Services Measure. Funds from this measure are to be used for essential general services, including but not limited to police and fire services, streets, parks and recreation, and other General Fund services.

As a means of checks and balances for these funds, the City Council ordinance will  require a Sales Tax Oversight Committee to oversee the effective and efficient utilization of these additional funds and an independent accounting firm will perform an annual audit as specified in Government Code Section 6505.

Farming Exemptions - Farm Equipment and Machinery

In general, the sale of farm equipment and machinery is taxable. However, certain sales and purchases are partially exempt from sales and use tax. The partial exemption applies only to the state general fund portion of the sales tax, currently 5%.

How to Calculate

To calculate the tax rate for qualifying transactions, subtract 5% from the sales tax rate that would normally apply at the location where the purchase is made.  For the City of Wasco, the current tax rate is 8.25%, and the tax rate for a qualifying transaction would be 3.25%.

Requirements

Three requirements must be met for the partial exemption to apply. The item must be:

1. Sold to a qualified person
2. Used exclusively or primarily in producing and harvesting agricultural products. Primarily means 50% or more of the time.
3. Farm equipment and machinery which includes, but is not limited to, any of the following used in the conduct of agricultural operations:
   • Apparatus
   • Appliance
   • Device
   • Equipment
   • Machine
   • Tool

If any of the first three requirements is not met, the partial exemption does not apply and the sale or purchase is fully taxable. When a lease meets the three requirements above, and the lease payments are taxable, the lease may also qualify for the partial exemption. Mobile transportation equipment does not qualify for the exemption.

Qualified Person

A “qualified person” is one whose business falls within the specified Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Codes listed below:

1. Ranchers, farmers and other growers who operate businesses described in SIC Codes 0111 to 0291 (generally covers most agricultural businesses but excludes timber production).
2. A person who assists a qualified rancher, farmer or grower by performing a service described in SIC Codes 0711 to 0783. This includes:
   • Crop Harvesting
   • Crop Market Preparation
   • Farm and Labor Management
   • Soil Preparation
   • Veterinary Services

For a full list of applicable SIC Codes, please see Appendix C of publication 66, Agricultural Industry. For more information on SIC Codes please select SIC/NAICS Search from the index on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website.