Sales and Use Tax Treatment - Horses

  1. What is subject to Wisconsin sales and use tax?
  2. What is not subject to Wisconsin sales and use tax?
  1. What is subject to Wisconsin sales and use tax?

    • The sale of horses for use in racing, pleasure riding, or show is taxable, unless an exemption applies.
    • The boarding and maintenance, including exercise, of horses used for racing, pleasure riding, or show are services subject to Wisconsin sales and use tax, unless an exemption applies. However, the retailer may purchase the feed for the animals without tax by supplying a fully completed exemption certificate claiming an exemption for resale.
    • The charge for mare care services for horses used for racing, pleasure riding, or show, excluding charges for veterinary services and separately stated charges for foal training, is subject to Wisconsin sales tax, unless an exemption applies.
    • The furnishing of horse trail rides is a service subject to Wisconsin sales tax.
    • Persons operating riding stables are selling taxable admissions to customer participation events, and are subject to Wisconsin sales tax. In addition persons operating riding stables must pay tax on the purchase of feed, unless an exemption applies (e.g., they also sell feed and purchase it for resale).

  2. What is not subject to Wisconsin sales and use tax?

    • The sale of horses used in farming (i.e., the commercial breeding and raising of horses, or "farm work stock").

      Note: Wisconsin statutes provide exemptions for certain sales to persons who are engaged in the business of farming. Farming includes the commercial breeding and raising of horses for sale. An exemption applies to the purchase of "farm work stock," such as draft horses and mules, that are used exclusively in the business of farming. "Farm work stock" also includes horses used exclusively in farming to check on or herd livestock.

      Persons engaged only in boarding horses, giving lessons, and selling a horse occasionally are not engaged in the commercial breeding and raising of horses for sale, and are not engaged in farming. Such persons may not purchase tangible personal property or services exempt under the farming exemption. There is no qualifying number of horses sold that determines whether a person is engaged in farming, but rather the facts and circumstances that indicate the person is engaged in the commercial breeding and raising of horses for sale.

      Likewise, persons operating riding stables or training facilities do not qualify as farmers if they do not engage in the commercial breeding and raising of horses for sale.

    • Training horses is a nontaxable service. However, persons engaged in training horses must pay tax on the purchase of feed, unless an exemption applies (e.g., they also sell feed and purchase it for resale).
    • Mare care service, farrier service, and dietary supplements for mares used exclusively for farming (i.e., the commercial breeding and raising of horses, or "Farm work stock") are exempt from Wisconsin sales and use tax.
    • You may purchase feed, farrier services, or dietary supplements that you resell to your customers without tax by providing your supplier with a property completed exemption certificate claiming resale.
    • Your charge for taking care of horses on a customer's property is not subject to Wisconsin sales or use tax.
    • If you only arrange the sale of a horse between a buyer and seller, the seller is made known to the buyer, and the buyer pays the seller directly for the horse, your commission for arranging the sale is not subject to Wisconsin sales or use tax.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Customer Service Bureau
Mail Stop 5-77
P.O. Box 8949
Madison, WI 53708-8949
Phone: (608) 261-6261
Fax: (608) 267-1030
E-Mail Additional Questions

Last updated December 16, 2011