Distinction between rental, leasing, and licensing for use of tangible personal property and certain related activities

*This information is for Model City Tax Code purposes only.

(a) Certain rentals, leases, and licenses for use in connection with construction contracting. Rental, leasing, or licensing of earthmoving equipment with an operator shall be deemed construction contracting activity. Rental, leasing, or licensing of any other tangible personal property (with or without an operator) or of earthmoving equipment without an operator shall be deemed rental, leasing, or licensing of tangible personal property. For example:

(1) Rental of a backhoe, bulldozer, or similar earthmoving equipment with operator is construction contracting. Rental of these items without an operator is rental of tangible personal property.

(2) Rental of scaffolding, temporary fences, or barricades is rental of tangible personal property.

(3) Rental of pumps or cranes is rental of tangible personal property, regardless of whether or not an operator is included with the equipment rented.

(b) Distinction between equipment rental, leasing, or licensing for use and transporting for hire. The hiring of mobile equipment (cranes, airplanes, limousines, etc.) is considered rental, leasing, or licensing of tangible personal property whenever the charge is for a fixed sum or hourly rate. By comparison, the activity of a common carrier conveying goods or persons for a fee based upon distance, and not time, shall be considered transporting for hire.