<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".48" citation="COMAR 03.06.01.48" title_num="03" subtitle_num="06" chapter_num="01" heading="Data or Information Technology Services and Software Publishing Services.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Definitions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In this regulation, the following terms have the meaning indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>“Buyer” has the meaning stated in Tax-General Article, §11-101(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>“Cloud computing” means a service that enables on-demand, self-service network access to a shared pool of configurable computer resources, including data storage, analytics, commerce, streaming, e-mail, document sharing, and document editing.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>“Customer tax address” has the meaning stated in Tax-General Article §11-101(c-1), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>“Data or information technology service” means services described under NAICS sectors 518, 519, and subsector 5415.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>“Emerging technology development area” means the University of Maryland’s Discovery District located in Prince George’s County.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>“NAICS” means the North American Industrial Classification System, United States Manual, 2022 Edition, published by the United States Office of Management and Budget.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>“Services described under NAICS subsector 5132” means:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Applications development and publishing (except on a custom basis);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Computer software publishing and reproduction;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Gaming site publishing;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Mobile applications development and publishing (except on a custom basis);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Packaged computer applications software;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Packaged computer operating systems software;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vii)">
          <text>Packaged computer software publishing;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(viii)">
          <text>Packaged computer utility software;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ix)">
          <text>Packaged programming language and compiler software publishing;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(x)">
          <text>Packaged software publishing;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xi)">
          <text>Publishing computer software for games; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xii)">
          <text>Software publishing.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>“Services described under NAICS sector 518” means:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Application hosting (excluding software publishing);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Automated data processing;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Cloud computing (except software publishing and computer systems design);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Cloud storage;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Co-location in data centers (i.e., rental of server and networking space in data centers);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Computer data storage;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vii)">
          <text>Computer input preparation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(viii)">
          <text>Computer time leasing;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ix)">
          <text>Computer time rental;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(x)">
          <text>Computer time sharing;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xi)">
          <text>Computing infrastructure provision;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xii)">
          <text>Computing platform infrastructure provision;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xiii)">
          <text>Data capture imaging;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xiv)">
          <text>Data entry;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xv)">
          <text>Data processing computer services;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xvi)">
          <text>Data processing (except payroll services, financial transaction processing services);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xvii)">
          <text>Disk and diskette conversion;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xviii)">
          <text>Disk and diskette recertification;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xix)">
          <text>Electronic data processing;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xx)">
          <text>Game server hosting;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxi)">
          <text>Infrastructure as a service (IaaS);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxii)">
          <text>Media streaming data storage;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxiii)">
          <text>Media streaming technical support;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxiv)">
          <text>Microfiche recording and imaging;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxv)">
          <text>Microfilm recording and imaging;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxvi)">
          <text>Optical scanning;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxvii)">
          <text>Platform as a service (PaaS);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxviii)">
          <text>Video and audio technical streaming support;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxix)">
          <text>Video tape and film stock technical streaming support;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxx)">
          <text>Virtual currency (cryptocurrency) mining; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxxi)">
          <text>Web hosting (excluding software publishing).</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>“Services described under NAICS sector 519” means:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Archives;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Bookmobiles;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Centers for documentation (i.e., archives);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Circulating libraries;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Film archives;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Internet search portals;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vii)">
          <text>Internet search websites;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(viii)">
          <text>Lending libraries;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ix)">
          <text>Libraries (except motion picture stock footage, motion picture commercial distribution);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(x)">
          <text>Motion picture film libraries;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xi)">
          <text>Music archives;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xii)">
          <text>News clipping services;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xiii)">
          <text>Press clipping services;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xiv)">
          <text>Provision of stock photos;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xv)">
          <text>Reference libraries;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xvi)">
          <text>Telephone-based recorded information services;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xvii)">
          <text>Title search services (except real estate); and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xviii)">
          <text>Web search portals.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>“Services described under NAICS subsector 5415” means:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Audio visual and IT (information technology) systems integration design;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>CAD (computer-aided design) systems integration design;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>CAE (computer-aided engineering) systems integration design;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) systems integration design;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Computer disaster recovery;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Computer hardware consulting;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vii)">
          <text>Computer network systems integration design;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(viii)">
          <text>Computer software consulting;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ix)">
          <text>Computer systems integration analysis and design;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(x)">
          <text>Computer systems integration design consulting;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xi)">
          <text>Computer systems integrator;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xii)">
          <text>Computer software installation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xiii)">
          <text>Computer systems facilities (i.e., client’s facilities) management and operation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xiv)">
          <text>Custom computer application software programming;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xv)">
          <text>Custom computer program or software development;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xvi)">
          <text>Custom computer programming services;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xvii)">
          <text>Custom computer software analysis and design;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xviii)">
          <text>Custom computer software support;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xix)">
          <text>Custom search engine optimization (SEO) (except hosting and infrastructure support services);</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xx)">
          <text>Custom software programming;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxi)">
          <text>Custom webpage design services;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxii)">
          <text>Data processing facilities (i.e., client’s facilities) management and operation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxiii)">
          <text>Industrial robot automation applications/software design and development;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxiv)">
          <text>Industrial robot programming;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxv)">
          <text>Information management computer systems integration design;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxvi)">
          <text>Local area network (LAN) computer system integration design;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxvii)">
          <text>Machine vision software design and development;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxviii)">
          <text>Material handling robot applications/software design and development;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxix)">
          <text>Office automation computer systems integration design;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxx)">
          <text>Robotics applications/software design and development;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxxi)">
          <text>Robotics process automation software design and development; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(xxxii)">
          <text>Welding robot applications/software design and development.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>“Qualified Company” means a company that contracts with the University of Maryland’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security to develop systems and technologies to advance the use of quantum computing.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(l)">
        <text>“Qualified Cybersecurity Business” means an entity organized for profit that is engaged primarily in the development of innovative proprietary cybersecurity technology or the provision of cybersecurity services.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(m)">
        <text>“Retail sale” has the meaning stated in Tax-General Article, §11-101(h), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(n)">
        <text>“Software publishing service” means a system software or application software publishing service described under NAICS subsector 5132.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(o)">
        <text>“Taxable price” has the meaning stated in Regulation .08 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(p)">
        <text>“Vendor” has the meaning stated in Tax-General Article, §11-101(o), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Every classification detail under a NAICS sector's or subsector's industry groups, NAICS industries, and national industries includes all listed services, which can be performed together, separately, or in any combination.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The sale of data or information technology services or software publishing services in the State are subject to sales and use tax in the State as provided in Tax-General Article, Title 11, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Except as provided in Regulation .49 of this chapter, a retail sale of a data or information technology service or software publishing service is presumed to be made in the state in which the customer tax address is located.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Application of NAICS sector codes.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Each service the vendor provides must be evaluated individually to determine whether it is a data or information technology service or software publishing service.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A vendor may not rely on the principal business activity code reported on the vendor’s annual income tax return to determine whether the services the vendor provides are subject to sales and use tax.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A buyer who is registered to remit sales and use tax may present to a vendor a certificate indicating multiple points of use of a data or information technology service or software publishing service as provided in Regulation .49 of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Exempt Sales.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The sales and use tax does not apply to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A sale of cloud computing to a qualified cybersecurity business;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A sale of a data or information technology service or software publishing service to a qualified company located in an emerging technology development area made in connection with the work of the company; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A sale of a data or information technology service or software publishing service by a qualified company in an emerging technology development area.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The exemption in §F(1) of this regulation does not apply to any tangible personal property, digital product, digital code, or taxable service sold with the exempt service.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A vendor may accept a signed statement from a buyer certifying the exemption under §F(1)(a) or (b) of this regulation applies unless if, at the time of acceptance, the vendor knows or should have known that the exemption does not apply. The vendor shall retain the statement with the record of sale.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If sales and use tax is paid on the sale of a service that qualifies for an exemption, the person paying the tax may apply to the Comptroller for a refund pursuant to COMAR 03.06.03.05.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>