701—18.60 (422,423) Exempt sales of gases used in the manufacturing process. Effective May 24, 1999, but retroactive to January 1, 1991, sales of argon and other similar gases to be used in the manufacturing process are exempt from tax. For the purposes of this rule, only inert gases are gases which are similar to argon. An “inert gas” is any gas which is normally chemically inactive. It will not support combustion and cannot be used as either a fuel or as an oxidizer. Argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, neon, krypton, and xenon are nonexclusive examples of inert gases. Oxygen, hydrogen, and methane are nonexclusive examples of gases which are not inert. These sales are exempt only if the gas is purchased by a “manufacturer,” for used in “processing,” as those terms are defined in subrule 18.45(1), for the period prior to July 1, 1997, and as those terms are defined in subrule 18.58(1) for the period beginning July 1, 1997.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 422.45 as amended by 1999 Iowa Acts, chapter 170.