54:32B-12.1 Deduction from taxable sales for bad debts.
30. a. A seller shall be allowed a deduction from taxable sales for bad debts.
b. The amount of the deduction from taxable sales allowed pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall not include interest.
c. For the purposes of this section, "bad debt" has the same meaning as that term is defined by 26 U.S.C. s.166 as the basis for calculating bad debt recovery; provided however, the amount calculated pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.166 shall be adjusted to exclude: financing charges or interest; sales or use taxes charged on the purchase price; uncollectible amounts on property that remain in the possession of the seller until the full purchase price is paid; expenses incurred in attempting to collect any debt, and repossessed property.
d. The deduction from taxable sales allowed pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be deducted on the return for the period during which the bad debt is written off as uncollectible in the claimant's books and records and is eligible to be deducted for federal income tax purposes. For purposes of this subsection, a claimant who is not required to file federal income tax returns may deduct a bad debt on a return filed for the period in which the bad debt is written off as uncollectible in the claimant's books and records and would be eligible for a bad debt deduction for federal income tax purposes if the claimant was required to file a federal income tax return.
e. If the deduction from taxable sales allowed pursuant to subsection a. of this section is taken for a bad debt and the debt is subsequently collected in whole or in part, the tax on the amount so collected shall be paid and reported on the return filed for the period in which the collection is made.
f. If the amount of the deduction from taxable sales allowed pursuant to subsection a. of this section exceeds the amount of taxable sales for the period during which the bad debt is written off, a refund claim may be filed within four years from the due date of the return on which the bad debt could first be claimed.
g. If filing responsibilities have been assumed by a certified service provider, the certified services provider may claim, on behalf of the seller, any deduction from taxable sales allowed pursuant to subsection a. of this section. The certified service provider shall credit or refund the full amount of any bad debt allowance or refund received to the seller.
h. For the purposes of reporting a payment received on a bad debt for which the deduction from taxable sales allowed pursuant to subsection a. of this section was previously claimed, any payments made on a debt or account shall first be applied proportionally to the taxable price of the property or service and the sales tax thereon, and secondly to interest, service charges, and any other charges.
i. In situations in which the books and records of the party claiming the deduction from taxable sales allowed pursuant to subsection a. of this section support an allocation of the bad debts among the member states, the allocation shall be permitted.
L.2005,c.126,s.30.