391 S.C. 89 (2011) 705 S.E.2d 28

TRAVELSCAPE, LLC, Appellant,
v.
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, Respondent.

No. 26913.

Supreme Court of South Carolina.

Heard May 13, 2010. Decided January 18, 2011.

*94 James P. Karen, David Cowling, and Lily H. Shanks, all of Jones Day, of Dallas, TX, John M. Allan, of Jones Day, of Atlanta, GA, Stephen P. Groves, Sr., Thomas S. Tisdale, Jr. and Burnet R. Maybank, III, all of Nexsen Pruet, LLC, all of Charleston, for Appellant.

Milton Gary Kimpson, Andrew L. Richardson, Jr., Caroline Raines, and Ronald W. Urban, all of S.C. Department of Revenue, of Columbia, for Respondents.

*95 Frances Isaac Cantwell, of Regan and Cantwell, LLC, of Charleston, and Robert E. Lyon, Jr., of Columbia, for Amicus Curiae SC Association of Counties.

Justice HEARN:

The Administrative Law Court ("ALC") found Travelscape, LLC was required to remit sales tax on the gross proceeds it received from providing hotel reservations in South Carolina. Additionally, the ALC found the sales tax did not violate the Dormant Commerce Clause. We agree with the ALC's findings and affirm.

FACTUAL/PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Travelscape is an online travel company offering hotel reservations at locations across the country through the website Expedia.com ("Expedia").^[1] Although Travelscape neither owns nor operates hotels, it enters into contracts with hotels whereby the hotels agree to accept a discounted rate from those offered to the general public ("net rate") for reservations made on Expedia.^[2] Travelscape then adds a facilitation fee, service fee, and tax recovery charge to the net rate of the room. The facilitation and service fees are retained by Travelscape as compensation for its role in the transaction. The tax recovery charge, which is based on the net room rate, corresponds with the sales tax owed by the hotel. The sum of the net room rate, facilitation fee, service fee, and tax recovery charge is the actual price listed for the room on Expedia.

If a customer books a hotel reservation on Expedia, Travelscape charges the customer's credit card for the transaction. Unless the customer purchases additional guests services while staying at the hotel (i.e. room service, movie rentals, or valet parking), the customer pays no money to the hotel for her stay. After the customer checks out of the hotel, the hotel invoices Travelscape for the net room rate as well as sales tax owed by the hotel. Travelscape then remits the net room rate *96 and tax recovery charge to the hotel. Travelscape retains the facilitation and service fees and does not pay sales tax on these fees.

The Department of Revenue ("Department") conducted an audit of Travelscape's records for the period of July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2006. The Department determined Travelscape was required to pay a sales tax of seven percent on the gross proceeds received from furnishing hotel accommodations in South Carolina.^[3] Thereafter, the Department issued Travelscape an assessment and penalty in the amount of $6,376,454.71. Travelscape filed a timely request for a contested case hearing before the ALC in accordance with section 12-60-460 of the South Carolina Code (Supp.2009). Following a two-day hearing, the ALC issued a final order, finding Travelscape was required to pay the tax but not required to pay the penalties imposed by the Department.^[4] This appeal followed.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

This Court's standard of review is set forth in section 1-23-610(B) of the South Carolina Code (Supp.2009). That section provides:

The review of the administrative law judge's order must be confined to the record. The court may not substitute its judgment for the judgment of the administrative law judge as to the weight of the evidence on questions of fact. The court ... may affirm the decision or remand the case for further proceedings; or it may reverse or modify the decision if the substantive rights of the petitioner have been prejudiced because the finding, conclusion, or decision is:

(a) in violation of constitutional or statutory provisions;

(b) in excess of the statutory authority of the agency;

(c) made upon unlawful procedure;

(d) affected by other error of law;

*97 (e) clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the whole record; or

(f) arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.

Id.

LAW/ANALYSIS

I. APPLICABILITY OF ACCOMMODATIONS TAX

We begin our analysis in this case by focusing on the statutory scheme of section 12-36-920. Both parties agree, and the ALC found, that section 12-36-920 is divided into two relevant parts. Section 12-36-920(A) sets forth what is subject to the tax—"the gross proceeds derived from the rental or charges for any rooms ... or sleeping accommodations furnished to transients by any hotel ... or any place in which rooms, lodgings, or sleeping accommodations are furnished to transients for a consideration." (emphasis added). In turn, section 12-36-920(E) establishes who is subject to the tax— "every person engaged ... in the business of furnishing accommodations to transients for consideration." (emphasis added). Therefore, the task before us is to harmonize these two provisions and determine whether the service and facilitation fees are gross proceeds derived from the furnishing of sleeping accommodations and, if so, whether Travelscape is engaged in the business of furnishing these accommodations.

A. Service and Facilitation Fees

Travelscape contends it is not required to pay sales tax on the service and facilitation fees it retains because such fees are "derived from" the services it provides, not from the rental charge for the hotel room. We disagree.

Section 12-36-920(A) of the South Carolina Code (Supp. 2009) imposes a seven percent sales tax on "the gross proceeds derived from the rental or charges for any rooms ... furnished to transients by any ... place in which rooms, lodgings, or sleeping accommodations are furnished to transients for consideration." (emphasis added). In the definition section of the South Carolina Sales and Use Tax Act, the legislature defined the term "gross proceeds of sale" and "any similar term" as "the value proceeding or accruing from the sale, *98 lease, or rental of tangible personal property ... without any deduction for ... the cost of materials, labor, or service." S.C.Code Ann. § 12-36-90(1)(b)(ii) (emphasis added).^[5]

"The cardinal rule of statutory construction is to ascertain and effectuate the intent of the legislature." Hardee v. McDowell, 381 S.C. 445, 453, 673 S.E.2d 813, 817 (2009) (internal quotation omitted). Where the statute's language is plain, unambiguous, and conveys a clear, definite meaning, the rules of statutory interpretation are not needed and the court has no right to impose another meaning. Gay v. Ariail, 381 S.C. 341, 345, 673 S.E.2d 418, 420 (2009).

In our view, the fees charged by Travelscape for its services are subject to sales tax under the plain language of section 12-36-920(A) as gross proceeds. Section 12-36-920(A) imposes the tax on the "gross proceeds derived from the rental or charges for any room." (emphasis added). In section 12-36-90(1)(b), the legislature specifically stated the definition of "gross proceeds of sales" applies to any similar term as well. S.C.Code Ann. § 12-36-90(1)(b). We find the term gross proceeds as used in section 12-36-920(A) is a similar term to gross proceeds of sales. Therefore, the definition of gross proceeds of sales also applies to gross proceeds.^[6] Accordingly, "gross proceeds" under section 12-36-920(A) includes the value obtained from the rental of accommodations without deduction for the cost of services. S.C.Code Ann. § 12-36-90(1)(b)(ii). Because the cost of services is specifically included in the definition of gross proceeds of sales, we find the fees retained by Travelscape for its services are taxable as gross proceeds.

*99 B. Application to Travelscape

Section 12-36-920(E) imposes the Accommodations Tax "on every person engaged or continuing within this State in the business of furnishing accommodations to transients for consideration." Travelscape argues it is not subject to the Accommodations Tax because it: (A) is not engaged in the business of furnishing accommodations, and (B) does not conduct business within the State.

1. Furnishing Accommodations

Travelscape first asserts it is not engaged in the business of furnishing accommodations because it neither owns nor operates hotels. According to Travelscape, the ordinary and commonplace understanding of the term "furnish," as well as the manner that the term is used throughout section 12-36-920, demonstrates that the term carries with it the connotation of physically providing sleeping accommodations to customers. Because Travelscape is only an intermediary providing hotel reservations to transients and does not physically provide sleeping accommodations, Travelscape contends it is not subject to the Accommodations Tax. We disagree.

"A statute as a whole must receive practical, reasonable, and fair interpretation consonant with the purpose, design, and policy of lawmakers." Sloan v. S.C. Bd. of Physical Therapy Examiners, 370 S.C. 452, 468, 636 S.E.2d 598, 606 (2006). When faced with an undefined statutory term, the Court must interpret the term in accordance with its usual and customary meaning. Branch v. City of Myrtle Beach, 340 S.C. 405, 409-10, 532 S.E.2d 289, 292 (2000). Courts should consider not merely the language of the particular clause being construed, but the undefined word and its meaning in conjunction with the whole purpose of the statute and the policy of the law. Whitner v. State, 328 S.C. 1, 6, 492 S.E.2d 777, 779 (1997).

The United States District Court for the District of South Carolina considered a similar argument in City of Charleston, S.C. v. Hotels.com, 520 F.Supp.2d 757 (D.S.C.2007). In that case, the city of Charleston and town of Mount Pleasant passed nearly identical local accommodations tax ordinances imposing a sales tax on the gross proceeds derived from the *100 rental of any accommodations within municipal boundaries. Id. at 762. Charleston and Mount Pleasant alleged several internet travel companies violated the ordinances by only remitting taxes based on the net rate negotiated with hotels, instead of the marked-up price actually charged to customers on their websites. Id. at 762-63. The legislature enabled municipalities to pass a "local accommodations tax" by enacting section 6-1-520(A) of the South Carolina Code (2004). In section 6-1-510(1), the legislature defined "local accommodations tax" as "a tax on the gross proceeds derived from the rental or charges for accommodations furnished to transients as provided in Section 12-36-920(A) and which is imposed on every person engaged ... in the business of furnishing accommodations to transients for consideration." (emphasis added). Like Travelscape in this case, the internet travel companies argued Charleston and Mount Pleasant lacked the power to impose the tax on them because they were not engaged in the business of furnishing accommodations. Hotels.com, 520 F.Supp.2d at 767.

The district court rejected this argument. In doing so, the district court found the ordinary meaning of the term "furnish" was "to supply what is needed for an activity or purpose." Id. at 768 (citing Webster's II New College Dictionary 454 (2d ed.1999)). The district court further noted "[t]he core purpose of the Ordinances is to levy a tax on the amount of money visitors to the municipality spend on their hotel rooms or other accommodations." Id. at 768. With this purpose in mind and with reference to the common understanding of the term furnish, the district court noted its inquiry was directed not at determining who was physically providing sleeping accommodations, but rather on who was accepting money in exchange for supplying the room. Id. Accordingly, the district court denied the travel companies' motion to dismiss. Id.

As a general rule, "identical words and phrases within the same statute should normally be given the same meaning." Powerex Corp. v. Reliant Energy Serv., Inc., 551 U.S. 224, 232, 127 S.Ct. 2411, 2417, 168 L.Ed.2d 112 (2007). The South Carolina Court of Appeals has long recognized a similar rule. See e.g. Busby v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 280 S.C. 330, 333, 312 S.E.2d 716, 718 (Ct.App.1984) (citing Pampanga Sugar Mills v. Trinidad, 279 U.S. 211, 218, 49 S.Ct. 308, 310, *101 73 L.Ed. 665 (1929)) ("Where the same word is used more than once in a statute it is presumed to have the same meaning throughout unless a different meaning is necessary to avoid an absurd result."). This Court has held that words in a statute must be construed in context, and their meaning may be ascertained by reference to words associated with them in the statute. Eagle Container Co., LLC v. Cty. of Newberry, 379 S.C. 564, 571, 666 S.E.2d 892, 895 (2008).

Travelscape is correct in pointing out that "furnish" as used in subsection (A) invokes the connotation of physically providing sleeping accommodations to customers. Indeed, the American Heritage Dictionary defines "furnish" as "[t]o equip with what is needed" and to "supply" or "give." Am. Heritage Dictionary 540 (2d College Ed.1982). Relying on Powerex, Travelscape argues the term "furnish" as used in subsection (E) should be read consonant with its use in subsection (A). We agree. As used in subsection (E), "furnish" does mean to physically provide sleeping accommodations. However, Travelscape's argument ignores the antecedent language in (E) that it applies to all persons "engaged ... in the business of" furnishing accommodations. "Business" includes "all activities, with the object of gain, profit, benefit, or advantage, either direct or indirect." S.C.Code Ann. § 12-36-20 (2000). Accordingly, we find the context of "furnish" as it appears in subsection (E) demonstrates that it encompasses the activities of entities such as Travelscape who, whether directly or indirectly, provide hotel reservations to transients for consideration. Contrary to the dissent's view, we do not read the term "furnish" differently in subsection (E) than we do in (A). Instead, we interpret subsection (E) in such a manner as to give effect to all the language contained therein—particularly that the entity be "engaged ... in the business of" furnishing accommodations—rather than focusing on the term "furnish" in isolation. While Travelscape does not physically provide accommodations, it is in the business of doing so.

The legislative purpose of section 12-36-920 supports such a finding. Whitner, 328 S.C. at 6, 492 S.E.2d at 779. In Hotels.com, the district court found the purpose of the ordinances, which were based on section 12-36-920, was to "levy a tax on the amount of money visitors to the municipality spend on their hotel rooms or other accommodations." 520 *102 F.Supp.2d at 768. In our view, the legislative purpose of section 12-36-920 is identical. The application of the tax to "every person engaged ... in the business of furnishing accommodations" also reveals that the legislature intended to levy the tax not merely on those physically providing sleeping accommodations, but on those entities who were accepting money in exchange for supplying hotel rooms. Additionally, section 12-36-920(C) specifically dispels the notion that the tax is imposed only on those entities physically providing the sleeping accommodations. Subsection (C) establishes that the tax is also assessed against real estate agents, brokers, corporations, and listing services. Therefore, we find the legislative purpose of subsection (E) and the context of the term "furnish" in that subsection demonstrates that Travelscape is subject to the Accommodations Tax because it is "engaged ... in the business of furnishing accommodations to transients for consideration." S.C.Code Ann. § 12-36-920(E).

2. Within The State

Next, Travelscape argues it is not subject to the Accommodations Tax because it is not engaged in business in South Carolina. Travelscape contends the phrase "within the State" modifies "every person" in subsection (E) and thus imposes the tax only on entities having a physical presence in the State. Because it does not have a physical presence in South Carolina, Travelscape asserts it is not required to remit the tax. Travelscape also contends the absence of a use tax in South Carolina and the lack of a provision dealing with out-of-state business transactions in section 12-36-920 demonstrates that the legislature did not intend to impose the Accommodations Tax on Travelscape. We disagree.

"The taxes imposed by this section are imposed on every person engaged or continuing within this State in the business of furnishing accommodations to transients for consideration." S.C.Code Ann. § 12-36-920(E) (emphasis added).

We find the language and sentence structure of subsection (E) reveals that "within this State" modifies the preceding terms "engaged or continuing." As such, the phrase "within this State" imposes the sales tax on those entities engaged or continuing in the business of furnishing accommodations in South Carolina, without regard to whether the entities maintain *103 offices or otherwise reside in this State. In International Harvester Co. v. Wasson, this Court interpreted identical statutory language in the same manner. 281 S.C. 458, 316 S.E.2d 378 (1984). The statute in Wasson imposed a sales tax "upon every person engaged or continuing within this State in the business of selling at retail any tangible personal property." Id. at 460, 316 S.E.2d at 379 (citing S.C.Code Ann. § 12-35-510 (1976)) (emphasis added). We determined the phrase "within this State" as found in section 12-35-510 required the "plaintiff [to be] in [the] business of making retail sales in South Carolina." Wasson, 281 S.C. at 460, 316 S.E.2d at 379. We find "within this State" as used in section 12-36-920(E) has the same meaning. In accordance with this understanding of "within the State," Travelscape will be responsible for remitting the sales tax in question if it was engaged in the business of furnishing accommodations in South Carolina.

Clearly, Travelscape was engaged in the business of furnishing accommodations in South Carolina during the audit period, seeing as it: (1) entered into contracts with hundreds of hotels in South Carolina in which the hotels agreed to accept a discounted price, or net rate, for reservations made on Expedia; (2) sent employees to South Carolina for the purpose of negotiating such agreements; and (3) booked reservations in exchange for consideration at hotels located in this State. Accordingly, we find the plain language of section 12-36-920(E) imposes the sales tax on Travelscape because it was engaged in the business of furnishing accommodations in South Carolina.

II. DORMANT COMMERCE CLAUSE

Travelscape argues the imposition of the sales tax on it is an unconstitutional violation of the Dormant Commerce Clause because the tax fails to satisfy the four-part test announced by the United States Supreme Court in Complete Auto Transit, Inc. v. Brady, 430 U.S. 274, 97 S.Ct. 1076, 51 L.Ed.2d 326 (1977). We disagree.

The Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution provides that Congress has the power to regulate commerce among the several states. U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 3. However, "the Commerce Clause is more than an *104 affirmative grant of power; it has a negative sweep as well." Quill Corp. v. North Dakota, 504 U.S. 298, 309, 112 S.Ct. 1904, 1911, 119 L.Ed.2d 91 (1992). Even in the absence of Congressional regulation, the negative implications of the Commerce Clause, often referred to as the Dormant Commerce Clause, prohibit state action that unduly burdens interstate commerce. Gen. Motors Corp. v. Tracy, 519 U.S. 278, 287, 117 S.Ct. 811, 818, 136 L.Ed.2d 761 (1997). A state tax withstands a Dormant Commerce Clause challenge so long as the tax (1) "`is applied to an activity with a substantial nexus with the taxing State, (2) is fairly apportioned, (3) does not discriminate against interstate commerce, and (4) is fairly related to the services provided by the State.'" Quill, 504 U.S. at 311, 112 S.Ct. at 1912 (quoting Complete Auto, 430 U.S. at 279, 97 S.Ct. at 1079).

A. Substantial Nexus

Travelscape argues it does not have a substantial nexus with the State because its role in facilitating hotel reservations occurs exclusively outside of South Carolina. We disagree.

Commerce Clause nexus, for sales and use tax purposes, requires some physical presence within the taxing jurisdiction. Quill, 504 U.S. at 317, 112 S.Ct. at 1916. In National Bellas Hess, Inc. v. Department of Revenue, the Supreme Court held a state may not impose a use tax upon a seller whose only connection with customers in the state is by common carrier or mail. 386 U.S. 753, 758, 87 S.Ct. 1389, 1392, 18 L.Ed.2d 505 (1967).^[7] "[T]he crucial factor governing nexus is whether the activities performed in this state on behalf of the taxpayer are significantly associated with the taxpayer's ability to establish and maintain a market in this state for its sales." Tyler Pipe Indus. v. Wash. State Dep't of Revenue, 483 U.S. 232, 250, 107 S.Ct. 2810, 2821, 97 L.Ed.2d *105 199 (1987) (quoting with approval Tyler Pipe Indus. v. Wash. State Dep't of Revenue, 105 Wash.2d 318, 715 P.2d 123 (Wash. 1986)).

In Tyler Pipe, the State of Washington imposed a sales tax on a corporation that manufactured products outside of Washington for in-state sale. 483 U.S. at 249, 107 S.Ct. at 2821. The Supreme Court found the corporation had a physical presence in Washington even though it manufactured all of its products outside the State, maintained no offices in the State, owned no property within the State, and had no employees residing in the State. 483 U.S. at 249, 107 S.Ct. at 2821. The Supreme Court reached this conclusion in light of the services provided by non-employee in-state sales representatives. Id. The sales representatives provided services that were essential to the corporation's ability to make sales in Washington, including calling customers, soliciting orders, maintaining contacts, and providing information. Id. at 250, 107 S.Ct. at 2821. Based on these facts, the Supreme Court found the corporation had a physical presence in the state for tax purposes. Id.

In a similar case, the Supreme Court found a Georgia corporation was subject to a use tax imposed by the State of Florida in spite of the fact the corporation had no offices or employees in Florida. Scripto, Inc. v. Carson, 362 U.S. 207, 213, 80 S.Ct. 619, 622, 4 L.Ed.2d 660 (1960). There, the corporation used independent contractors to sell its products in Florida. Id. at 211, 80 S.Ct. at 621-22. Although these "salesmen" were not technically employees of the corporation, the Supreme Court found their activities within Florida on behalf of the corporation were sufficient to satisfy the physical presence requirement. Id. The Court further found that the corporation's disclaimer of an agency relationship with the independent contractors was insignificant for constitutional purposes. Id. at 211, 80 S.Ct. at 622.

Travelscape primarily relies on McLeod v. J.E. Dilworth Co. in support of its contention that it does not have a substantial nexus with South Carolina. 322 U.S. 327, 64 S.Ct. 1023, 88 L.Ed. 1304 (1944). In McLeod, the State of Arkansas sought to impose a tax on the sale of machinery and mill supplies by two Tennessee corporations to residents of Arkansas. Id. at 328, 64 S.Ct. at 1024. The Tennessee corporations did not *106 maintain a sales office, branch plant, or any other place of business in Arkansas. Id. at 328, 64 S.Ct. at 1024. Orders for the goods came to Tennessee through solicitation in Arkansas by traveling salesmen domiciled in Tennessee or by mail or telephone. Id. The goods sold to the Arkansas residents were shipped from Tennessee, and title to the goods passed upon delivery to a carrier located in Tennessee. Id. Under these facts, the Supreme Court found the Dormant Commerce Clause prohibited Arkansas from imposing the tax on the Tennessee corporations. Id. at 331, 64 S.Ct. at 1026. In our view, McLeod is distinguishable from Tyler Pipe, Scripto, and the facts of this case because in McLeod, the Tennessee corporations relied very little on the services of Arkansas to facilitate the sale of its goods to Arkansas residents. Therefore, we believe Travelscape's reliance on McLeod is misplaced.

We find Travelscape has a sufficient physical presence in South Carolina for purposes of satisfying the nexus requirement of the Dormant Commerce Clause. Initially, contrary to Travelscape's assertions, all of the services it provides in furnishing hotel accommodations in South Carolina do not occur entirely in other jurisdictions. According to stipulation of the parties, "[e]mployees and representatives of [Travelscape] visit South Carolina in order to enable [Travelscape] to establish and maintain hotel relationships and obtain the discounted net room rate for rooms booked using the www. expedia.com website." This fact standing alone may be enough to satisfy the physical presence requirement. However, Travelscape's physical presence in South Carolina extends beyond business visits of employees. Travelscape enters into contracts with South Carolina hotels for the right to offer reservations at various locations across the state. The hotels agree to accept a discounted rate for reservations made on Expedia. In turn, when a reservation is booked on Expedia, the customer actually stays at a hotel within the state. Like the corporations in Tyler Pipe and Scripto, the services provided by the hotels are significantly associated with Travelscape's ability to establish and maintain a market in South Carolina for its sales.^[8]Tyler Pipe, 483 U.S. at 250, 107 S.Ct. *107 at 2821. Without the hotels actually providing the sleeping accommodations to the customer, Travelscape would be entirely unable to conduct business within the state. For Commerce Clause nexus purposes, it simply does not matter that Travelscape specifically disclaims any agency relationship with the hotels in the contracts it enters into. Scripto, 362 U.S. at 211, 80 S.Ct. at 622. Accordingly, we find Travelscape has a physical presence within South Carolina.

B. Fairly Apportioned

In regards to this issue, Travelscape merely recycles the argument made above. Again, Travelscape contends because its services are performed entirely outside the state, its activities are not subject to the Accommodations Tax. We disagree.

The purpose behind the apportionment requirement is to ensure that each state taxes only its fair share of an interstate transaction. Goldberg v. Sweet, 488 U.S. 252, 260-61, 109 S.Ct. 582, 588, 102 L.Ed.2d 607 (1989). A tax is fairly apportioned if it is internally and externally consistent. Id. at 261, 109 S.Ct. at 589. "To be internally consistent, a tax must be structured so that if every State were to impose an identical tax, no multiple taxation would result." Id. "The external consistency test asks whether the State has taxed only that portion of the revenues from the interstate activity which reasonably reflects the in-state component of the activity being taxed." Id. at 262, 109 S.Ct. at 589. The Supreme Court has consistently approved the taxation of sales without any division of the tax base among different states, finding such taxes properly measurable by the gross charge for the purchase regardless of any activity occurring outside the taxing jurisdiction that might have preceded the sale or might occur in the future. Okla. Tax Comm'n v. Jefferson Lines, Inc., 514 U.S. 175, 186, 115 S.Ct. 1331, 1339, 131 L.Ed.2d 261 (1995). "[A]n internally consistent, conventional sales tax has long been held to be externally consistent as well."