RS 47:305.13: Exemption; purchases by certain religious institutions

A. The sales and use tax levied by any taxing authority shall not apply to purchases of bibles, song books, or literature used for religious instruction classes by a church or synagogue that is recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service as entitled to exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

B. The secretary of the Department of Revenue shall promulgate rules and regulations defining the terms "church" and "synagogue" for purposes of this exemption. The definitions shall be consistent with the criteria established by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in identifying organizations that qualify for church status for federal income tax purposes.

C. No church or synagogue shall claim exemption from the state sales and use tax or the sales and use tax levied by any political subdivision before having obtained a certificate of authorization from the secretary of the Department of Revenue. The secretary shall develop applications for such certificates. The certificates shall be issued without charge to the institutions that qualify.