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NY TSB-A-06(12)S Sales Tax 2006-04-06

Does a modular-home dealer owe sales tax on the home and its installation, and does that depend on whether the manufacturer sells the home with or without installation?

Short answer: A modular-home dealer's sale-and-installation to a property owner is an exempt capital improvement once the owner provides a Certificate of Capital Improvement, but whenever the dealer buys the home from the manufacturer WITHOUT installation included, that purchase is a fully taxable retail sale on which the dealer owes sales or use tax, even if the dealer later installs the home itself or through its own subcontractor.

Apply this to your situation

This page answers the general question as of 2006. Ezel answers yours, under current New York tax law, with citations.

Currency note: this ruling is from 2006
Subsequent statutory amendments, regulation changes, court decisions, or later rulings may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context, not current tax advice. Verify current law before relying on any specific rule, rate, or position mentioned here.
Disclaimer: This is an official New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Advisory Opinion (TSB-A), issued by the Office of Counsel at a taxpayer's request. It is limited to the facts set forth in it and binds the Department only with respect to the petitioner to whom it was issued, and only if that petitioner fully and accurately described all relevant facts; another taxpayer cannot rely on it. It reflects the law, regulations, and Department policy in effect when issued and may since have changed. New York State and local sales taxes are administered centrally by the Department. This summary is informational only and is not legal or tax advice. Consult a licensed New York tax professional about your specific situation.
About this page: The plain-English summary, reader guidance, and Q&A below were written by Ezel based on the official state tax ruling. The original ruling (linked on this page as a PDF) is the authoritative source for any reliance.
View original ruling (PDF)

Plain-English summary

Brooke Greenhouse, a modular-home dealer/builder, asked the Department to sort out sales tax across four different ways it might structure a deal with a property owner and a manufacturer. The dividing line in every scenario is the same one the Department applies elsewhere: does the manufacturer's contract with the dealer include INSTALLATION, or just the bare home?

Scenario 1 (manufacturer supplies AND installs): The dealer's sale-and-installation to the property owner is exempt as a capital improvement (with a Certificate of Capital Improvement, Form ST-124, flowing down to the manufacturer and any installing subcontractor). The manufacturer and subcontractor still owe tax on their own material purchases, and the manufacturer separately owes use tax on the self-manufactured home components — the same three-tier structure worked out in the companion ruling issued the same day, TSB-A-06(16)S.

Scenario 2 (manufacturer sells WITHOUT installation): Now the manufacturer's sale of the bare home to the dealer is a taxable retail sale — the dealer owes sales or use tax on the full purchase price. The dealer is still the prime contractor for the property owner, though, so its own installation charge to the owner (whether self-performed or subcontracted) remains exempt as a capital improvement.

Scenario 3 (manufacturer's invoice shows an installation allowance, but no installation): Same result as Scenario 2 — the dealer owes tax on the (discounted) purchase price of the home, and the installation charge stays exempt.

Scenario 4 (dealer buys the bare home and parks it on its own lot, e.g. as a model): The dealer owes tax on its purchase either way. If it's later sold and permanently installed at a customer's site, temporary use as a model home lets the dealer claim a refund of the local tax paid where it was first delivered (since that use is incidental to holding it for resale) — but if the dealer used it for something else first (like an office), no refund is available for that leg, though it may get local-tax credit under § 1235 when it pays local tax again at the new site.

A cross-cutting rule ties all four scenarios together: sales tax on the home is due at the rate where it's FIRST delivered, and if it's later installed in a different locality, the dealer may owe (and can potentially recover) local tax differences between the two locations.

What this means for you

Modular and manufactured home dealers

The single biggest fork in the road is whether your purchase contract with the manufacturer includes installation. If it does, and you pass a Certificate of Capital Improvement all the way down the chain, your own installation charge to the customer is exempt. If it doesn't — even if the invoice includes an "installation allowance" — you owe sales or use tax on the full home purchase price as an ordinary retail buyer, regardless of what you do with the home afterward.

Dealers using a home as a model or on their sales lot

Watch the local-tax mechanics: buying the home triggers tax at the delivery location, and later installing it elsewhere can trigger a refund (if it was genuinely held for resale, like a model home) or a credit (under § 1235) — but not both, and not automatically.

Accountants and tax professionals

This is a useful companion to TSB-A-06(16)S: read the two together for the full matrix of dealer/manufacturer/subcontractor tax outcomes depending on whether installation is bundled into the manufacturer's sale.

Common questions

Q: Does a modular-home dealer owe tax when it buys a home from the manufacturer?
A: Only if the manufacturer's sale to the dealer does NOT include installation — then it's a taxable retail purchase. If installation is included, the Certificate of Capital Improvement can make the whole chain exempt.

Q: Does an "installation allowance" on the manufacturer's invoice change anything?
A: No — if the manufacturer isn't actually contracted to install the home, the sale to the dealer is still fully taxable (on the discounted price, if the allowance is a real discount).

Q: What if the dealer temporarily parks the home on its own lot as a model?
A: The dealer still owes tax on the purchase, but may later claim a refund of local tax paid at the first delivery location if the home is genuinely being held for resale.

Q: Can another modular-home dealer rely on this Advisory Opinion?
A: No. It binds the Department only for the petitioner and facts described here.

Citations and references

Statutes, regulations, and cases:

  • Tax Law §§ 1101(b)(1), (4)(i), (9)(i); 1105(a), (c)(3)(iii); 1110; 1115(a)(17)
  • Tax Law § 1119(a)(1); § 1235 (refunds/credits for property moved between jurisdictions)
  • 20 NYCRR 526.5(d)(2); 534.3(b); 541.2(d), (g); 541.5(b)
  • Lake City Manufactured Housing, Inc. v Tax Appeals Tribunal, 184 AD2d 33 (3d Dept)

Source

Original ruling text

New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

TSB-A-06(12)S
Sales Tax
April 6, 2006

Office of Tax Policy Analysis
Technical Services Division
STATE OF NEW YORK
COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION AND FINANCE
ADVISORY OPINION

PETITION NO. S050916A

On September 16, 2005, the Department of Taxation and Finance received a Petition for
Advisory Opinion from Brooke Greenhouse, 451 East Lake Road, Dryden, New York, 13053.
Petitioner, Brooke Greenhouse, provided additional information pertaining to the Petition on
November 1, 2005.
The issue raised by Petitioner is whether a dealer/builder of factory-manufactured
(hereinafter "modular") homes is liable to collect or remit sales or compensating use tax on its
sales of modular homes under any of the following hypothetical scenarios.
Petitioner submits the following facts as the basis for this Advisory Opinion.
Scenario 1
A dealer/builder of modular homes contracts with the owner of real property to provide
and install a modular home. The dealer/builder orders the home from a manufacturer. The
contract between the dealer/builder and the manufacturer includes installation of the home by the
manufacturer onto the home’s foundation. The manufacturer, as a subcontractor, either installs
the home using its own personnel or contracts directly with a subcontractor for the complete
installation. Portions of the installation (i.e., electrical and plumbing hookups, roofing, siding,
etc.) may also be subcontracted by the manufacturer or the dealer/builder to other subcontractors.
The installing subcontractor may be selected by the dealer/builder but always signs a contract
with the manufacturer for the installation.
The contract between the dealer/builder and the manufacturer may provide for a fixed
price for the installation or may include a budget or allowance for the amount the manufacturer
will pay the subcontractor who actually performs the installation. If the installation costs exceed
the budget or allowance amount, the manufacturer can, if allowed for in the installation contract,
require the dealer/builder to pay the excess amount to either the manufacturer or directly to the
installing subcontractor. The contract also provides that the manufacturer can pass through any
reduced installation charge (where the actual installation cost is less than the budget or allowance
amount) to the dealer/builder. Depending on the contract between the dealer/builder and the real
property owner, the excess or reduced charge may be passed through to the real property owner.
Scenario 2
A dealer/builder of modular homes contracts with the owner of real property to provide
and install a modular home. The dealer/builder purchases the home from a manufacturer without
installation. The dealer/builder either installs the home using its own personnel or contracts with

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a subcontractor for the complete installation. If the dealer/builder installs the modular home,
portions of the installation (i.e., electrical and plumbing hookups, roofing, siding, etc.) may be
subcontracted by the dealer/builder to other subcontractors.
Scenario 3
A dealer/builder of modular homes contracts with the owner of real property to provide
and install a modular home. The dealer/builder purchases the modular home from a
manufacturer without installation. The manufacturer’s invoice to the dealer/builder for the
modular home shows an allowance toward the cost of installing the home. The dealer/builder
either installs the modular home using its own personnel or contracts with a subcontractor for
installation.
Scenario 4
A dealer/builder of modular homes purchases a modular home from a manufacturer
without installation. The modular home is delivered to the dealer/builder’s sales lot. The
dealer/builder either stores the modular home for installation at a later date or installs it
temporarily on its sales lot for use as a model or for some other use. The modular home is not
permanently installed on the dealer/builder’s lot.
Applicable law and regulations
Section 1101(b) of the Tax Law provides, in part:
When used in this article for the purposes of the taxes imposed by subdivisions
(a), (b), (c) and (d) of section eleven hundred five and by section eleven hundred ten, the
following terms shall mean:
(1) Purchase at retail. A purchase by any person for any purpose other than those
set forth in clauses (A) and (B) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (4) of this subdivision.
*

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(4) Retail sale. (i) A sale of tangible personal property to any person for any
purpose, other than (A) for resale as such or as a physical component part of tangible
personal property, or (B) for use by that person in performing the services subject to tax
under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (5), (7) and (8) of subdivision (c) of section eleven hundred
five where the property so sold becomes a physical component part of the property upon
which the services are performed or where the property so sold is later actually
transferred to the purchaser of the service in conjunction with the performance of the
service subject to tax. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subparagraph, a
sale of any tangible personal property to a contractor, subcontractor or repairman for use

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or consumption in erecting structures or buildings, or building on, or otherwise adding to,
altering, improving, maintaining, servicing or repairing real property, property or land, as
the terms real property, property or land are defined in the real property tax law, is
deemed to be a retail sale regardless of whether the tangible personal property is to be
resold as such before it is so used or consumed, except that a sale of a new mobile home
to a contractor, subcontractor or repairman who, in such capacity, installs such property is
not a retail sale. . . .
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(9) Capital improvement. (i) An addition or alteration to real property
which:
(A) Substantially adds to the value of the real property, or appreciably
prolongs the useful life of the real property; and
(B) Becomes part of the real property or is permanently affixed to the real
property so that removal would cause material damage to the property or article
itself; and
(C) Is intended to become a permanent installation.
Section 1105 of the Tax Law provides, in part:
Imposition of sales tax. On and after June first, nineteen hundred seventy-one,
there is hereby imposed and there shall be paid a tax . . . upon:
(a) The receipts from every retail sale of tangible personal property, except as
otherwise provided in this article.
*

*

(c) The receipts from every sale, except for resale, of the following services:
*

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(3) Installing tangible personal property . . . or maintaining, servicing or repairing
tangible personal property . . . except:
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*

(iii) for installing property which, when installed, will constitute an addition or
capital improvement to real property, property or land, as the terms real property,

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property or land are defined in the real property tax law as such term capital improvement
is defined in paragraph nine of subdivision (b) of section eleven hundred one of this
chapter; . . .
Section 1110 of the Tax Law provides, in part:
Imposition of compensating use tax (a) Except to the extent that property or
services have already been or will be subject to the sales tax under this article, there is
hereby imposed on every person a use tax for the use within this state on and after June
first, nineteen hundred seventy-one except as otherwise exempted under this article (A)
of any tangible personal property purchased at retail, (B) of any tangible personal
property . . . manufactured, processed or assembled by the user, (i) if items of the same
kind of tangible personal property are offered for sale by him in the regular course of
business or (ii) if items are used as such or incorporated into a structure, building or real
property by a contractor, subcontractor or repairman in erecting structures or buildings, or
building on, or otherwise adding to, altering, improving, maintaining, servicing or
repairing real property, property or land, as the terms real property, property or land are
defined in the real property tax law, if items of the same kind are not offered for sale as
such by such contractor, subcontractor or repairman or other user in the regular course of
business, . . .
*

*

*

(c) For purposes of subclause (i) of clause (B) of subdivision (a) of this section,
the tax shall be [computed on] the price at which items of the same kind of tangible
personal property are offered for sale by the user, . . .
(d) For purposes of subclause (ii) of clause (B) of subdivision (a) of this section,
the tax shall be [computed on] the consideration given or contracted to be given for the
tangible personal property manufactured, processed or assembled into the tangible
personal property the use of which is subject to tax, including any charges for shipping or
delivery as described in paragraph three of subdivision (b) of section eleven hundred one.
Section 1115(a) of the Tax Law provides, in part:
Receipts from the following shall be exempt from the tax on retail sales
imposed under subdivision (a) of section eleven hundred five and the
compensating use tax imposed under section eleven hundred ten:
*

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(17) Tangible personal property sold by a contractor, subcontractor or repairman
to a person other than an organization described in subdivision (a) of section eleven

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hundred sixteen, for whom he is adding to, or improving real property, property or land
by a capital improvement, or for whom he is about to do any of the foregoing, if such
tangible personal property is to become an integral component part of such structure,
building or real property; provided, however, that if such sale is made pursuant to a
contract irrevocably entered into before September first, nineteen hundred sixty-nine, no
exemption shall exist under this paragraph.
Section 1119(a) of the Tax Law provides, in part:
Subject to the conditions and limitations provided for herein, a refund or credit
shall be allowed for a tax paid pursuant to subdivision (a) of section eleven hundred five
or section eleven hundred ten (1) on the sale or use of tangible personal property if the
purchaser or user, in the performance of a contract, later incorporates that tangible
personal property into real property located outside this state, . . .
Section 1235 of the Tax Law provides, in part:
Taxes paid to other jurisdictions (a) With respect to taxes imposed pursuant to
subdivision (a) of section twelve hundred ten and pursuant to section twelve hundred
eleven, the use of tangible personal property purchased at retail and of any of the services
subject to the sales tax shall be exempt from the compensating use tax authorized under
subdivision (a) of such section twelve hundred ten and under section twelve hundred
eleven, to the extent that a retail sales tax or a compensating use tax was legally due and
paid thereon, without any right to a refund or credit thereof, to (1) any municipal
corporation in this state or (2) any other state or jurisdiction within any other state, but
only when it is shown that such other state or jurisdiction allows a corresponding
exemption with respect to the sale or use of tangible personal property or of any of the
services upon which such a sale or compensating use tax was paid to this state and any of
its municipal corporations, except as provided in subdivision (b) of this section.
Section 526.5(d)(2) of the Sales and Use Tax Regulations provides, in part:
Discounts which represent a reduction in price, such as a trade discount, volume
discount or cash and carry discount are deductible in computing receipts.
Section 526.6 of the Sales and Use Tax Regulations provides, in part:
Retail sale. (a) The term retail sale or sale at retail means the sale of tangible
personal property to any person for any purpose, except as specifically excluded.
(b) Special rule--sales specifically included as retail sales. (1) A sale of any
tangible personal property to a contractor, subcontractor or repairman for use or
consumption in erecting structures or buildings or adding to, altering, improving,

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maintaining, servicing or repairing real property, property or land, is deemed to be a retail
sale, regardless of whether the tangible personal property is to be resold as such before it
is used or consumed. . . .
Section 534.3 of the Sales and Use Tax Regulations provides, in part:
Refunds and credits based on certain uses.
*

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*

(b) Property incorporated into realty outside of New York State. (1) A purchaser
or user who has paid the tax on tangible personal property may claim a refund or credit
for such tax provided:
(i) he incorporates the property into real property located outside of this
State; and
(ii) such incorporation is pursuant to a contract.
Example: A contractor purchases a quantity of lumber in New York State
to use for a construction contract in Vermont. At the time the contractor
purchases the lumber and accepts delivery in New York State he is liable
for sales tax. To the extent the lumber is incorporated into real property in
Vermont, a refund or credit of the sales tax paid by the contractor on such
lumber is allowable.
(iii) If the tangible personal property is moved from New York County A
to County B, and it meets the conditions outlined in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of
this paragraph, any County A local tax paid on the tangible personal property may
be claimed by the contractor as a refund or credit. However, any local
compensating use tax imposed by County B is due on the material.
Section 541.2 of the Sales and Use Tax Regulations provides, in part:
Definitions. The words, terms and phrases used in this Part have the following
definitions except when the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
*

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(d) A construction contractor means any person who engages in erecting,
constructing, adding to, altering, improving, repairing, servicing, maintaining,
demolishing or excavating any building or other structure, property, development, or
other improvement on or to real property, property or land.

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(g) Capital improvement.
*

(2)(i) A capital improvement does not include a contract for the sale and
installation of tangible personal property which when installed remains tangible personal
property.
(ii) A capital improvement does not include the sale of tangible property to a
customer under contract if the contractor who sells the tangible personal property is not
responsible for the affixation or installation of the tangible personal property furnished.
Section 541.5 of the Sales and Use Tax Regulations provides, in part:
Contracts with customers other than exempt organizations.
*

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*

(b) Capital improvements contracts. (1) Purchases. All purchases of tangible
personal property (excluding qualifying production machinery and equipment exempt
under section 1115(a)(12) of the Tax Law) which are incorporated into and become part
of the realty or are used or consumed in performing the contract are subject to tax at the
time of purchase by the contractor or any other purchaser. A certificate of capital
improvement may not be validly given by any person or accepted by a supplier to exempt
the purchase of these materials.
(2) Labor and material charges. All charges by a contractor to the customer for
adding to or improving real property by a capital improvement are not subject to tax
provided the customer supplies the contractor with a properly completed certificate of
capital improvement.
*

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*

(4) Documents; capital improvement contracts. (i) When a properly completed
certificate of capital improvement has been furnished to the contractor, the burden of
proving the job or transaction is not taxable and the liability for the tax rests solely upon
the customer.
(a) The prime contractor should obtain a certificate of capital
improvement from the customer and retain it as part of his records. Copies of

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such certificate must be furnished to all subcontractors on the job and retained as
part of their records.
(b) A certificate of capital improvement may not be issued by a contractor,
subcontractor or any other person to a supplier on the purchase of tangible
personal property.
Opinion
As a general matter, work performed on real property will qualify as a capital
improvement to real property if all of the conditions set forth in section 1101(b)(9)(i) of the Tax
Law are met. The installation of a permanent building or structure (including a modular home)
for the owner of real property will qualify as a capital improvement to real property, and the
prime contractor should not charge sales tax to the customer for building materials or labor on
the capital improvement project. The prime contractor should obtain for its records a properly
completed Certificate of Capital Improvement (Form ST-124) from its customer in order to be
relieved of the burden of proving that the transaction is not subject to sales tax. In order to be
properly completed, a Certificate of Capital Improvement must contain all the information
required on the form and must contain the name, address and Certificate of Authority number (if
any) of the prime contractor. A contractor is considered to be the consumer of all building
materials used in a capital improvement and generally must pay sales tax on the materials at the
time of purchase. See section 541.5(b)(1) of the Sales and Use Tax Regulations. Sales tax paid
by a contractor on building materials used in a capital improvement may be included in the cost
of materials and passed through to the customer.
Scenario 1
A dealer/builder of factory-built (modular) homes signs a contract with a real property
owner that includes the provision and installation of a modular home. The dealer/builder is,
therefore, the prime contractor for sales tax purposes.
The dealer/builder’s sale and installation of the modular home is not subject to sales tax
because the installation results in a capital improvement to real property. See sections
1105(c)(3)(iii) and 1115(a)(17) of the Tax Law. The property owner in such case should provide
the dealer/builder with a properly completed Certificate of Capital Improvement (Form ST-124).
Acceptance of this certificate by the dealer/builder in good faith relieves the dealer/builder of its
obligation to collect sales tax from the property owner. In this scenario, the dealer/builder in turn
enters into a contract with the manufacturer whereby the manufacturer will provide the modular
home and install it. The dealer/builder should provide the manufacturer with a copy of the
Certificate of Capital Improvement issued by the property owner. See section 541.5(b)(4)(a) of
the Sales and Use Tax Regulations. Acceptance by the manufacturer in good faith of a properly
completed Certificate of Capital Improvement relieves the manufacturer of its obligation to
collect sales tax from the dealer/builder on its charges for the provision of a modular home on an

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installed basis. The manufacturer may contract with other subcontractors to perform the actual
work. The manufacturer should provide any of its subcontractors with a copy of the Certificate
of Capital Improvement that it received from the dealer/builder. It is immaterial for sales tax
purposes whether such subcontractor is selected from a pre-approved list submitted by the
manufacturer to the dealer/builder or directly by the dealer/builder, provided that the contract is
between the manufacturer and the subcontractor.
The contract between the dealer/builder and the manufacturer may provide a fixed price
for the installation or may include a budget or allowance for the amount the manufacturer will
pay the subcontractor who actually performs the installation. Regardless of whether the contract
provides a fixed price or a budget or allowance, the manufacturer will not be required to collect
sales tax from the dealer/builder if the dealer/builder furnishes a Certificate of Capital
Improvement as described above.
The manufacturer and any subcontractors are liable for sales or use tax on their purchases
of materials used or consumed in the installation of the modular home. See section 541.5(b)(1)
of the Sales and Use Tax Regulations. In addition, the manufacturer is liable for use tax,
computed as provided in section 1110 of the Tax Law, on the modular home that it sold
permanently installed to the dealer/builder and it may pass through the amount of this tax to the
dealer/builder as one of its costs.
Scenario 2
As discussed in Scenario 1, the dealer/builder does not collect sales tax from the property
owner on its charges for the sale and installation of a modular home because the installation
results in a capital improvement. The dealer/builder should receive a Certificate of Capital
Improvement (Form ST-124) from its customer to substantiate that the modular home was
installed as a capital improvement. Sales of building materials, including a modular home,
without installation are retail sales of tangible personal property that are subject to sales tax. See
section 541.5(b)(1) of the Sales and Use Tax Regulations. In this scenario, the manufacturer
sells the modular home to the dealer/builder without installation. Therefore, such sale is a sale of
tangible personal property at retail and the dealer/builder is liable for sales or use tax computed
on the total amount that it pays for the modular home. A Certificate of Capital Improvement is
not a valid exemption certificate for the purchase of a modular home by a dealer/builder where
the contract for such purchase does not include installation. Sales tax paid by the dealer/builder
on its retail purchase of the modular home and any building materials used in its installation may
be included in the dealer’s cost of materials and passed through to the property owner as
described above.
The dealer/builder may install the modular home using its own personnel, or it may
contract with a third party (subcontractor) to perform the installation of the modular home.
Since, in this scenario, the dealer/builder has a contract with the property owner to provide and
install the modular home, it is the prime contractor in this project. If the dealer/builder has a

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contract with a subcontractor to actually install the modular home, the dealer/builder should
provide the subcontractor with a copy of the Certificate of Capital Improvement issued to it by
the property owner. This document relieves the subcontractor of its obligation to collect sales
tax on its installation charges to the dealer/builder. Any building materials purchased by the
subcontractor that become a part of the installation are retail purchases of tangible personal
property by the subcontractor and are subject to sales tax. Sales tax paid on building materials
incorporated into the project by any subcontractor working on the capital improvement project
may be included in the cost of materials the subcontractor charges the dealer/builder.
Scenario 3
As in scenario 2, the manufacturer sells a modular home without installation to the
dealer/builder. The manufacturer's invoice shows an allowance (i.e., a reduction in the amount to
be paid by the dealer/builder) representing part of the cost of installing the modular home. The
dealer/builder either installs the modular home or contracts directly with a subcontractor for
installation. As in scenario 2, the sale of the modular home to the dealer/builder is a sale of
tangible personal property at retail and the dealer/builder is liable for sales or use tax computed
on the total amount that it pays for the modular home. Assuming the allowance represents a real
discount in the price of the modular home sold by the manufacturer, the dealer/builder owes sales
or use tax on the discounted price. See section 526.5(d)(2) of the Sales and Use Tax
Regulations.
Charges by a subcontractor to the dealer/builder for installation of the modular home are
not subject to sales tax because the installation results in a capital improvement to real property.
Scenario 4
In this scenario, the dealer/builder purchases a modular home from the manufacturer
without installation. As in scenarios 2 and 3, such purchase is a purchase of tangible personal
property at retail and the dealer/builder is liable for sales or use tax computed on the purchase
price of the modular home. The dealer/builder may use the modular home as a model home or
for some other use (e.g., sales office). If the modular home is installed on the dealer/builder’s
sales lot on a temporary basis, the installation does not result in a capital improvement.
Accordingly, installation charges paid by the dealer/builder to a third party are subject to sales
tax under section 1105(c)(3) of the Tax Law. See Lake City Manufactured Housing, Inc. v Tax
Appeals Tribunal, 184 AD2d 33 (3d Dept). If the dealer/builder later sells the modular home on
an installed basis to a property owner, it may incorporate the sales tax that it paid on its purchase
price of the modular home into its sales price when charging its customer. The dealer/builder
should obtain a properly completed Certificate of Capital Improvement from the property owner
and furnish copies of such certificate to any subcontractors on the installation project as
described above.

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It is noted that sales tax on tangible personal property, including a modular home, is due
at the rate in effect at the location where the tangible personal property is delivered. For
example, where a modular home is initially delivered to a location other than the building site
(e.g., the dealer/builder’s sales lot) the dealer/builder must pay sales tax at the rate in effect at
that location. If the dealer/builder later installs the modular home as a capital improvement on a
building site in a different locality, the dealer/builder must pay tax at the rate in effect at the
location of the building site. In this case, the dealer/builder may be eligible for a refund of the
local sales tax it paid on such modular home when it received the home at its sales lot. See
section 1119(a)(1) of the Tax Law and section 534.3(b) of the Sales and Use Tax Regulations.
The refund applies if the dealer/builder uses the modular home as a model home since that use is
incidental to holding the home for resale. If the dealer/builder uses the modular home for any
other purpose (e.g., as an office), and then sells and installs the home on a building site in a
different locality, a refund of the tax paid upon the delivery of the modular home to the
dealer/builder’s sales lot is not available. In such case, the dealer/builder’s use of the modular
home in the new locality may be exempt from the local tax imposed in such locality to the extent
that the dealer/builder paid local sales or use tax to the locality where the modular home was first
delivered to the dealer/builder. See section 1235 of the Tax Law.

DATED: April 6, 2006

NOTE:

/s/
Jonathan Pessen
Tax Regulations Specialist IV
Technical Services Division

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