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State of Florida Clarifies Sales Tax Exemptions for Property Improvements by Commercial Tenants

Oscar R. Rivera
February 25, 2014

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In the past, the Florida Department of Revenue has, at times, demanded the payment of sales tax on property improvements made by commercial real estate tenants if the improvements became the property of the landlord at the end of the lease term, which is practically always the case. Regardless of whether the property improvements were not required by the landlord under the terms of the lease or were not made to the landlord in lieu of rent payments, the state sometimes considered such improvements to be rent and therefore subject to sales tax. However, the state’s position was rejected in a decision in 2011 by the First District Court of Appeal, and now, after much lobbying by the commercial real estate industry, with the International Council of Shopping Centers being one of the loudest voices, the Department of Revenue has issued a Technical Assistance Advisement to clarify its new stance on the matter.

In its “Technical Assistance Advisement 13A-023,” the Department indicates that it will follow the appellate ruling and not hold payments made by tenants for leasehold improvements to be subject to sales tax under the following conditions:

  • The improvements are made to put the premises in a condition suitable for the operation of the tenant’s business.
  • There is no requirement from the landlord to spend a specific or minimum amount of money on the improvements.
  • There is no credit given against rental payments to the tenant for the completion of the improvements.
  • The improvements are not explicitly classified as rent, additional rent, rent-in-kind, or in lieu of rent.
  • There is no evidence that there was an attempt to reclassify rental payments to avoid the tax.

While this decision was issued by the Department of Revenue under a private letter ruling and is therefore only binding on the Department for the party who requested it, the guidance appears to reflect the Department’s current position on the issue.

Restaurant remodel.jpgBecause this has been a contentious issue and the Department of Revenue’s stance was rejected by the appellate court, it stands to reason that the Department will closely scrutinize leasehold improvements by tenants to determine if the conditions for the sales tax exemption were met or if the improvements were in any way in consideration for the lease. Fluctuations in lease payments that may appear to be tied to the completion of property improvements by tenants will likely be viewed as red flags calling for detailed reviews to determine if the improvements were actually in consideration for the tenant’s lease. In addition, if the landlord receives any kind of exclusive benefit to utilize the tenant’s improved facilities upon the completion of the renovations, the department may deem the improvements to have been made in consideration for the lease.

This ruling represents a very positive departure by the Department of Revenue from its previous stance. All commercial property owners, tenants and listing agents involved in leases in which the tenant will pay for leasehold improvements should take careful note to adhere to these guidelines if they wish to avoid sales tax liability for the improvements. Our firm’s real estate attorneys are able to assist clients in the drafting of lease language to accommodate the Department’s new guidelines.

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