The Association of Washington Business (AWB) was victorious in a court case about the Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment Sales Tax Exemption rule, relating to sales tax on watercraft to non-residents.

According to the judgment signed by Judge Gary R. Tabor, Thurston County Superior Court: “The public has been misled by pre-litigation Department of Revenue actions to believe the rules have the force of law. The rules are for non-binding informational purposes only.”

The final judgment declared the Rules invalid.

“It’s a huge victory,” said AWB’s Tom Dooley. “AWB led the effort to pass the manufacturing sales tax exemption in 1995. Since then, AWB has worked to make sure AWB members receive the full benefit of the law.”.