(1) Subject to the limits and provisions of this section, a credit is authorized against the tax otherwise due under this chapter for persons engaged in a rural county in the business of providing information technology help desk services to third parties.

     (2) To qualify for the credit, the help desk services must be conducted from a rural county.

     (3) The amount of the tax credit for persons engaged in the activity of providing information technology help desk services in rural counties is equal to one hundred percent of the amount of tax due under this chapter that is attributable to providing the services from the rural county. In order to qualify for the credit under this subsection, the county must meet the definition of rural county at the time the person begins to conduct qualifying business in the county.

     (4) No application is necessary for the tax credit. The person must keep records necessary for the department to verify eligibility under this section. These records include information relating to description of activity engaged in a rural county by the person.

     (5) If at any time the department finds that a person is not eligible for tax credit under this section, the amount of taxes for which a credit has been used is immediately due. The department must assess interest, but not penalties, on the credited taxes for which the person is not eligible. The interest must be assessed at the rate provided for delinquent excise taxes under chapter 82.32 RCW, retroactively to the date the tax credit was taken, and will accrue until the taxes for which a credit has been used are repaid.

     (6) The credit under this section may be used against any tax due under this chapter, but in no case may a credit earned during one calendar year be carried over to be credited against taxes incurred in a subsequent calendar year. No refunds may be granted for credits under this section.

     (7) Transfer of ownership does not affect credit eligibility. However, the credit is available to the successor only if the eligibility conditions of this section are met.

     (8) A person claiming a tax credit under this section must file a complete annual survey with the department under RCW 82.32.585.

     (9) As used in this section:

     (a) "Information technology help desk services" means the following services performed using electronic and telephonic communication:

     (i) Software and hardware maintenance;

     (ii) Software and hardware diagnostics and troubleshooting;

     (iii) Software and hardware installation;

     (iv) Software and hardware repair;

     (v) Software and hardware information and training; and

     (vi) Software and hardware upgrade.

     (b) "Rural county" means the same as in RCW 82.14.370.

     (10) This section expires January 1, 2011.

[2010 c 114 § 120; 2004 c 25 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Application -- Finding -- Intent -- 2010 c 114: See notes following RCW 82.32.585.

     Effective date -- 2004 c 25: See note following RCW 82.04.4483.