105-164.20. Cash or accrual basis of reporting.
(a) Basis Selected. - Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a retailer may report sales on either the cash or accrual basis of accounting upon making application to the Secretary for permission to use the basis selected. Permission granted by the Secretary to report on a selected basis continues in effect until revoked by the Secretary or the taxpayer receives permission from the Secretary to change the basis selected.
(b) Accrual Basis. - For purposes of reporting and remitting sales tax under this Article, a retailer listed in this subsection must report the gross receipts it derives from the taxable transaction listed in this subsection on an accrual basis of accounting. The following retailers must report gross receipts as provided in this subsection:
(1) A retailer who sells electricity, piped natural gas, or telecommunications service. A sale of electricity, piped natural gas, or telecommunications service is considered to accrue when the retailer bills its customer for the sale.
(2) A retailer who derives gross receipts from a prepaid meal plan, notwithstanding that the retailer may report tax on the cash basis for other sales at retail and notwithstanding that the revenue has not been recognized for accounting purposes.
(3) A retailer who sells or derives gross receipts from a service contract, as provided in G.S. 105-164.4I(d). (1957, c. 1340, s. 5; 1973, c. 476, s. 193; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1097, s. 15; 1998-22, s. 7; 2001-430, s. 8; 2015-6, s. 2.14(b).)
Structure North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina General Statutes
Article 5 - Sales and Use Tax.
§ 105-164.4 - Tax imposed on retailers and certain facilitators.
§ 105-164.4B - Sourcing principles.
§ 105-164.4C - Telecommunications service and ancillary service.
§ 105-164.4D - Bundled transactions.
§ 105-164.4F - Accommodation rentals.
§ 105-164.4G - Entertainment activity.
§ 105-164.4H - Real property contract.
§ 105-164.4I - Service contracts.
§ 105-164.4J - Marketplace-facilitated sales.
§ 105-164.4K - Property management contracts.
§ 105-164.6 - Complementary use tax.
§ 105-164.6A - Voluntary collection of use tax by sellers.
§ 105-164.7 - Retailer or facilitator to collect sales tax from purchaser as trustee for State.
§ 105-164.8 - Retailer's obligation to collect tax; remote sales subject to tax.
§ 105-164.9 - Advertisement to absorb tax unlawful.
§ 105-164.10 - Retail tax calculation.
§ 105-164.11 - Excessive and erroneous collections.
§ 105-164.11A - Refund of tax paid on rescinded sale or cancellation of service.
§ 105-164.11B - Recover sales tax paid.
§ 105-164.12A - Electric golf cart and battery charger considered a single article.
§ 105-164.12B - Tangible personal property sold below cost with conditional contract.
§ 105-164.12C - Items given away by merchants.
§ 105-164.13 - Retail sales and use tax.
§ 105-164.13A - Service charges on food, beverages, or prepared food.
§ 105-164.13B - Food exempt from tax.
§ 105-164.13E - Exemption for farmers.
§ 105-164.13F - Exemption for wildlife managers.
§ 105-164.14 - Certain refunds authorized.
§ 105-164.14A - Economic incentive refunds.
§ 105-164.15A - Effective date of tax changes.
§ 105-164.16 - Returns and payment of taxes.
§ 105-164.16A - Reporting option for prepaid meal plans.
§ 105-164.19 - Extension of time for making returns and payment.
§ 105-164.20 - Cash or accrual basis of reporting.
§ 105-164.26 - Presumption that sales are taxable.
§ 105-164.27A - Direct pay permit.
§ 105-164.28 - Certificate of exemption.
§ 105-164.28A - Other exemption certificates.
§ 105-164.29A - State government exemption process.
§ 105-164.29B - Information to counties and cities.
§ 105-164.30 - Secretary or agent may examine books, etc.
§ 105-164.32 - Incorrect returns; estimate.
§ 105-164.37 - Bankruptcy, receivership, etc.
§ 105-164.40 - Jeopardy assessment.
§ 105-164.42C - Authority to enter Agreement.
§ 105-164.42D - Relationship to North Carolina law.
§ 105-164.42E - Agreement requirements.
§ 105-164.42F - Cooperating sovereigns.
§ 105-164.42G - Effect of Agreement.
§ 105-164.42H - Certification of certified automated system and effect of certification.
§ 105-164.42I - Contract with certified service provider and effect of contract.
§ 105-164.42J - Performance standard for multistate seller.
§ 105-164.42K - Registration and effect of registration.
§ 105-164.42L - Liability relief for erroneous information or insufficient notice by Department.
§ 105-164.44 - Penalty and remedies of Article 9 applicable.
§ 105-164.44F - Distribution of part of telecommunications taxes to cities.
§ 105-164.44H - Transfer to State Public School Fund.
§ 105-164.44J - Supplemental PEG channel support.
§ 105-164.44K - Distribution of part of tax on electricity to cities.
§ 105-164.44L - Distribution of part of tax on piped natural gas to cities.