Illinois Department of Revenue Releases Guidance on Exemption Certificates

Enterprise Zones, High-Impact Businesses and River Edge Redevelopment Zones Affected

Because of changes to the law enacted last year, all existing Exemption Certificates for Enterprise Zones, High-Impact Businesses and River Edge Redevelopment Zones expire June 30, 2013, even if the certificate itself identifies a later expiration date. Contractors and subcontractors must obtain new exemptions certi cates by July 1 because retailers cannot accept the old certificates after June 30.

There are several changes to the process:

• Project-based certificates will no longer be allowed
• Applications must be made online (although the portal is not yet available)
• Applications must be made through the Zone Administrator or the High Impact Business project manager
• Applications must be made through the Zone Administrator or the High Impact Business project manager
• Retailers must obtain a Form EZ-1 or all of the information contained in it—not just a copy of the project’s exemption certificate
• Retailers can verify the authenticity of a claimed exemption on the Department of Revenue’s website (once it’s up and running

An informational bulletin is available at:

http://www.revenue.state.il.us/Publications/Bulletins/2013/FY-2013-16.pdf