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Tax
If you purchase an item normally classified as food but use it for another purpose, it is still treated as food and therefore, not taxable.
Example 1: A department purchases vinegar but uses it for cleaning. The vinegar is not taxable.
Example 2: A department purchases pumpkins in fall and has students decorate them for display in the office. The pumpkins are still considered food and are not taxable.
What are examples of items which do not apply to this rule? Items sold for medical or hygiene purposes, alcohol, tobacco, candy, bottled water, soft drinks, and prepared foods.
See: http://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=458-20-244, #2b.
The University is not a tax exempt institution. The University of Washington must pay sales tax on most merchandise purchased for operations of the University.
For more tax information please see the Tax Office webpage. Under "Departments" please review the various areas, including:
Gene synthesis or analysis service usually involves primarily human effort and therefore would be considered a professional service not a retail service subject to WA State sales/use tax. Taxability Grid.