A statutory change of language does not necessarily indicate an intent to change the law if the purpose is to clarify existing provisions.
A food vendor paid sales tax on vending machine sales before a 1971 statutory amendment explicitly taxed such items. The vendor sought a refund, arguing the amendment imposed a new tax rather than clarifying existing law. The court applies the rule that exemptions are strictly construed against the taxpayer and that a statutory change of language does not necessarily indicate an intent to change the law, but may merely clarify doubtful provisions. The court finds the amendment was intended to clarify the Legislature's original intent to tax vending machine sales, supported by the fact that the statute's title did not list vending machines as a new tax subject. Because the vendor collected the tax from consumers and did not bear the financial burden, the vendor lacks standing to demand a refund.
At page 531 Presumption of legislative adoption of administrative construction23 citing cases“the mere statutory change of language does not necessarily indicate an intent to change the law for the intent may be to clarify what was doubtful and to safeguard against misapprehension as to existing law.”
- Dept. of Bus. & Prof. Reg. v. Wja Realty Ltd., 679 So. 2d 302 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996).published (The mere [statutory] change of language does not necessarily indicate an intent to change the law for the intent may be to clarify what was doubtful and to safeguard against misapprehension as to existing law.)
- North Broward Hosp. Dist. v. State of Florida, 398 So. 3d 1038 (Fla. 1st DCA 2024).publishedSzabo Food Servs., Inc. v. Dickinson, 286 So. 2d 529, 531 (Fla. 1973)).
- Aersale, Inc. v. Total Air Servs., Inc., 338 So. 3d 396 (Fla. 3d DCA 2022).publishedSzabo Food Servs., Inc. of N.C. v. Dickinson, 286 So. 2d 529, 531 (Fla. 1973))).
- ORLANDO HEALTH Cent., Inc. v. Agency For Health Care Admin., 252 So. 3d 849 (Fla. 1st DCA 2018).published(holding that “[w]hen the Legislature reenacts a statute, it is presumed to know and adopt the construction placed thereon by” administrators)
- Brown v. State, 166 So. 3d 817 (Fla. 2d DCA 2015).published Szabo Food Servs., Inc. of N.C. v. Dickinson, 286 So. 2d 529, 531 (Fla. 1973)).
- Am. Fed'n of State Cnty. & Mun. Employees (AFSCME) Council 79 v. Scott, 857 F. Supp. 2d 1322 (S.D. Fla. 2012).published(holding that regulations from state agency charged with implementing state revenue statute “should be accorded considerable persuasive force before any court called upon to interpret the statute.)
- Bay Farms Corp. v. Great Am. All. Ins., 835 F. Supp. 2d 1227 (M.D. Fla. 2011).published (holding that amendment to sales and use tax statute which provided, inter alia, that food and drink sold ready for immediate consumption from vending machines would be an exception to the general exemption from taxation…)
- Edward T. Byrd & Co. v. WPSC Venture I, 66 So. 3d 979 (Fla. 5th DCA 2011).publishedSzabo Food Servs., Inc. of North Carolina v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla.1973).
- McKenzie Check Advance of Florida v. Betts, 928 So. 2d 1204 (Fla. 2006).publishedSzabo Food Servs., Inc. of N.C. v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla.1973).
- Crescent Miami Ctr. v. Dept. of Revenue, 903 So. 2d 913 (Fla. 2005).publishedSzabo Food Services, Inc. v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla.1973), decisions of this Court interpreting the same statute have a much greater persuasive force.
Show 13 more citing cases
- GEL Corp. v. Dept. of Env't Prot., 875 So. 2d 1257 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004).published(The mere [statutory] change of language does not necessarily indicate an intent to change the law for the intent may be to clarify what was doubtful and to safeguard against misapprehension as to existing law.)
- Smith v. Larry Rice Constr., 730 So. 2d 336 (Fla. 1st DCA 1999).publishedSzabo Food Serv., Inc. of North Carolina v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla. 1973).
- Se. Staffing v. Fl. Dept. of Ins., 728 So. 2d 248 (Fla. 1st DCA 1998).publishedSzabo Food Serv., Inc. of North Carolina v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla. 1973).
- Wong v. Gonzalez & Kennedy, Inc., 719 So. 2d 937 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998).published(The mere change of language does not necessarily indicate an intent to change the law for the intent may be to clarify what was doubtful and to safeguard against misapprehension as to existing law.)
- Johnson v. State, 716 So. 2d 332 (Fla. 2d DCA 1998).publishedSzabo Food Servs., Inc. v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla.1973).
- Cole Vision v. Dept. of Bus. & Prof., 688 So. 2d 404 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997).publishedSzabo Food Servs., Inc. v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla. 1973); Peninsular Supply Co. v. C.B.
- Prison Rehabilitative Indus. v. Betterson, 648 So. 2d 778 (Fla. 3d DCA 1994).publishedSzabo Food Services, Inc. v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla.1973), the supreme court explained: The mere change of language does not necessarily indicate an intent to change the law for the intent may be to clarify what was doubtful an…
- Dade Cnty. v. At & T Info. Sys., 485 So. 2d 1302 (Fla. 3d DCA 1986).publishedSzabo Food Services, Inc. v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla. 1973); Ocala Breeder Sales Co. v. Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, Department of Business Regulation, 464 So.2d 1272, 1274 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985); Seaboard Coast Line Railroad…
- Asbury Arms Devel. v. Florida Dept. of Bus., 456 So. 2d 1291 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984).publishedSzabo Food Services, Inc. of North Carolina v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla. 1973).
- State, Dept. of Ins. v. Ins. Servs. Off., 434 So. 2d 908 (Fla. 1st DCA 1983).publishedSzabo Food Services, Inc. v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla. 1973).
- Florida Patient's Comp. Fund v. Mercy Hosp., Inc., 419 So. 2d 348 (Fla. 3d DCA 1982).publishedSzabo Food Services, Inc. v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla.1973), the court observed: When the Legislature reenacts a statute, it is presumed to know and adopt the construction placed thereon by the State tax administrators.
- Florida Pat. Comp. Fd. v. Mercy Hosp., 419 So. 2d 348 (Fla. 3d DCA 1982).publishedSzabo Food Services, Inc. v. Dickinson, 286 So.2d 529, 531 (Fla. 1973), the court observed: When the Legislature reenacts a statute, it is presumed to know and adopt the construction placed thereon by the State tax administrators.
- Ocala Breeder Sales v. Div. of Pari-Mutuel, 464 So. 2d 1272 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985).published
At page 532 No standing to demand refund when not bearing tax burden5 citing cases“paid by the purchaser or consumer.”
- Oracle Am., Inc. v. Florida Dep't of Revenue, No. 1D2023-1075 (Fla. 1st DCA Dec. 4, 2024).publishedSzabo Food Services, Inc. of N. Carolina v. Dickinson, 286 So. 2d 529, 532 (Fla. 1973), determined that the dealer lacked standing to seek a refund for taxes “paid by the purchaser or consumer.” While both Daystar and Szabo are procedurall…
- Oracle Am., Inc. v. Florida Dep't of Revenue, No. 1D2023-1077 (Fla. 1st DCA Dec. 4, 2024).publishedSzabo Food Services, Inc. of N. Carolina v. Dickinson, 286 So. 2d 529, 532 (Fla. 1973), determined that the dealer lacked standing to seek a refund for taxes “paid by the purchaser or consumer.” While both Daystar and Szabo are procedurall…
- Oracle Am., Inc. v. Dep't of Revenue, No. 1D2023-0987 (Fla. 1st DCA Dec. 4, 2024).publishedSzabo Food Services, Inc. of N. Carolina v. Dickinson, 286 So. 2d 529, 532 (Fla. 1973), determined that the dealer lacked standing to seek a refund for taxes “paid by the purchaser or consumer.” While both Daystar and Szabo are procedurall…
- McKesson Corp. v. Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, 496 U.S. 18 (1990).publishedId., at 532.
- Am. Trucking Associations, Inc. v. Conway, 566 A.2d 1335 (Vt. 1989).published(seller who collected sales tax by law directly from customer had no standing to demand refund)
Other citing cases
- Orange Cnty. v. Bellsouth Telecomm., Inc., 812 So. 2d 475 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002).published
v.
Fred O. DICKINSON, Jr., as Comptroller of the State of Florida, and Department of Revenue, State of Florida
This is an original proceeding in mandamus wherein petitioner seeks to compel respondents to refund $72,270.84, paid to the State in sales tax on the sale of food from vending machines prior to October 1, 1971. An alternative writ was issued, returns were filed, and petitioner has moved for the issuance of a peremptory writ notwithstanding the returns, thereby admitting the well pleaded allegations of the returns. Fermenter v. Younan, 159 Fla. 226, 31 So.2d 387 (1947).
Between February 1, 1968 and September 30, 1971 (the tax period involved), the relator (hereinafter referred to as Szabo) was engaged in the business of selling food and drink for human consumption from vending machines at various locations within the State of Florida. During this period, Szabo continuously paid sales taxes to the State in the total amount of $72,270.84 on the sale of food from vending machines in compliance with Fla.Stat. (1969) § 212.05, F.S.A., which imposed a tax on all retail sales of tangible personal property, not exempt. General groceries were exempt from this tax by the provisions of Fla.Stat. (1969) § 212.08(1), F.S. A. This statute granted taxable exceptions over all food and drink which were
(a)served, prepared or sold in or by restaurants, drug stores, lunch, counters, cafeterias, hotels or other like places of business; or
(b) by any business or place required by law to be licensed by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants of the Department of Business Regulations; or
(c) sold ready for immediate consumption from push-carts, motor vehicles, or any other form of vehicle; or
(d) soft drinks or foods cooked and prepared by grocery stores and similar businesses on their premises and which are sold for immediate consumption, either on or off the premises.
The respondents, Comptroller and the Department of Revenue, pursuant to statutory authority in Fla.Stat. (1969) §§ 212.17(6) and 212.18(2), F.S.A., formulated rules and regulations implementing the sales and use tax law. Under these rules and regulations, Szabo was required to pay a tax on sales made through his vending machines.
In 1971, the Legislature amended Fla. Stat. § 212.08(1) (b), F.S.A. (Laws of Florida, Ch. 71-360, § 7). The amendment contained a provision that “foods and drinks sold ready for immediate consumption from vending machines” would be an exception to the general exemption from taxation of food and drink for human consumption. In other words, the statute was amended so as to specifically provide that food and drink sold for immediate consumption from vending machines should not be considered as being exempt from the sales tax. This statute provided that the tax imposed on coin-operated vending machines and cable television shall take effect on October 1, 1971.
When Szabo discovered the enactment of Ch. 71-360, he immediately demanded a refund, asserting that such sales were not taxable prior to the enactment of Laws of Florida, Ch. 71-360.
Exemptions to taxing statutes are special favors granted by the Legislature[*531] and are to be strictly construed against the taxpayer. Green v. City of Pensacola, 126 So.2d 566, 569 (Fla.1961); State v. Thompson, 101 So.2d 381, 386 (Fla.1958). Thus, if Szabo is to escape the tax that was levied on others engaging in the sale of prepared foods for immediate consumption, he must clearly show that vending machines fall within the exemption, with any doubt being resolved in favor of the State. See United States Gypsum Co. v. Green, 110 So.2d 409, 413 (Fla.1959).
The administrative rules interpreting the sales and use tax statute, although made by an extra-judicial body, should be accorded considerable persuasive force before any court called upon to interpret the statute. Courts generally will not depart from such construction unless it is clearly erroneous or unauthorized. Gay v. Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Florida, 59 So.2d 788, 790 (Fla.1952); L. B. Smith Aircraft Corp. v. Green, 94 So. 832, 835 (Fla.1957).
The Legislature expressed its purpose in Fla.Stat. (1969) § 212.21, F.S.A., when it was declared to be the specific legislative intent to tax each and every sale except such sale “as shall be specifically exempted therefrom by this chapter.” In light of this expressed intent, the determination by the Comptroller and the Department of Revenue Tn the rules and regulations was not clearly erroneous.
When the Legislature reenacts a statute, it is presumed to know and adopt the construction placed thereon by the State tax administrators. Barr v. Delta and Pine Lane Company, 199 So.2d 269, 271 (Miss.1967); National Lead Co. v. United States, 252 U.S. 140, 147, 40 S.Ct. 237, 64 L.Ed. 496 (1920). The mere change of language does not necessarily indicate an intent to change the law for the intent may be to clarify what was doubtful and to safeguard against misapprehension as to existing law. Helvering v. New York Trust Co., 292 U.S. 455, 468, 54 S.Ct. 806, 810, 78 L.Ed. 1361 (1934). The language of the amendment in 1971 was intended to make the statute correspond to what had previously been supposed or assumed to be the law. The circumstances here are such that the Legislature merely intended to clarify its original intention rather than change the law. It should be noted that this change was made before a case had arisen requiring a construction of the statute. See Dye v. Markey, 259 Iowa 1045, 147 N.W.2d 42 (1966).
A more important circumstance shedding light on the legislative intent is the title to Laws of Florida, Ch. 71 — 360, as the title may be considered in an effort to aid interpretation. Foley v. State, 50 So.2d 179, 184 (Fla.1951). The title to Ch. 71-360 plainly shows that vending machines were not mentioned:
“AN ACT relating to sales and use taxes; amending chapter 212, Florida Statutes, to eliminate partial tax exemptions on vehicles, industrial machinery and commercial fishing vessels; to extend taxation to cable television, isolated sales of registered or titled vehicles and boats, fuels and other industrial materials immediately dissipated, ornamental nursery stock, electrical transmission and distribution equipment, and vehicles purchased by rental car companies; to exempt the sale or lease of seeing-eye dogs; to improve administration; providing an effective date.” (Emphasis supplied.)
Vending machines are not listed under either the elimination of exemptions or the extension of taxation to new subjects. A new tax not mentioned in the title is unconstitutional and invalid. Mayo v. National Truck Brookers, Inc., 220 So.2d 11, 12 (Fla.1969). To adopt Szabo’s contention would be to imply the use of an unconstitutional procedure by the Legislature. Vending machines were excluded from the title because the Legislature was fully cognizant of the fact that the Act did not impose a new tax on vending machine sales and that they considered Fla.Stat. § 212.-08(1), F.S.A., as it existed prior to Octo[*532]ber 1, 1971, as taxing the sale of food and drink from vending machines.
The sales tax imposed by Fla.Stat., Ch. 212, F.S.A., requires that such tax be collected from the purchaser or consumer. Szabo is a seller and was required to collect the tax from the purchaser or consumer. Fla.Stat. (1969) § 212.07(1), F.S.A. This statute requires the dealer, as far as practicable, to add the tax to the selling price and make the tax a part of the purchase price. Thus, the price including the tax constitutes a debt from the purchaser or consumer to the dealer until it is paid.
From the face of the petition, it appears that Szabo has collected the tax from the purchaser or consumer. In order for Sza-bo to have complied with the statute, the selling price of the food and drink would have had to have been adjusted so as to include the tax required by law to be passed on to the consumers or purchasers.
Apparently, Szabo bore no tax liability and the $72,270.84 represents the amount paid by the purchaser or consumer.
One who does not himself bear the financial burden of a wrongfully extracted tax suffers no loss or injury, and accordingly, would not have standing to demand a refund. There being no clear legal right to a clear legal duty, mandamus will not lie. State ex rel. Harrington v. City of Pompano, 136 Fla. 730, 188 So. 610 (Fla.1938). See also Garvin v. Baker, 59 So.2d 360 (Fla.1952).
Accordingly, the motion for peremptory writ, notwithstanding the returns, is denied and the alternative writ is discharged.
It is so ordered.
CARLTON, C. J., and ADKINS, BOYD, McCAIN and DEKLE, JJ., concur.