This information is not current and is being provided for reference purposes only
Ruling 89-222
Manufacturing
This Ruling has been obsoleted by AN 94(4)
You have requested a ruling as to whether the process of photoengraving is a manufacturing production process whereby the machinery involved in such process would be exempt from sales and use tax pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. §12-412(34).
FACTS
Your client creates engravings that are applied to copper-plated gravure base cylinders. These engravings are used in the subsequent production of wall coverings, food product packaging and textiles. Your client's principal function is to transfer a design to a plate which design is subsequently reproduced on wall coverings, food packages or textiles.
RULING
Photoengraving is defined as:
the process of reproducing graphic material by transferring the image photomechanically to a plate or other surface in etched relief for printing. (American Heritage Dictionary)
It is our opinion that the process of photoengraving does not come within the definition of manufacturing, as set forth in Conn Agencies Regs. Sec. § 12-426-11b(10). We consider photoengraving to be processing, not manufacturing, and as such, it does not qualify for the exemption relating to manufacturing.
In reviewing the various operations in photoengraving, it is our opinion that the operations do not come within the definition of manufacturing. Manufacturing is defined as:
an integrated series of operations which places personal property in a form, composition or character different from that in which it was acquired for sale in the regular course of business by the manufacturer. The change in form, composition or character must be a substantial change, and it must result in a transformation of property into a different product having a distinctive name, nature and use.
Conn. Agencies Regs. Sec. § 12-426-11b(10).
The process of photoengraving does not result in a substantial change in the form, composition or character of personal property.
It is hereby ruled that the process of photoengraving, as carried on by your client, is not a "manufacturing production process" as described in Conn. Agencies Regs. § 12-426-11b.
LEGAL DIVISION
November 15, 1989