144.807.  Common carriers in interstate air transportation, exemption for tangible personal property purchased or stored in state then transported out of state and used in the conduct of business — qualification for exemption — use in Missouri, taxes to apply. — 1.  In addition to the exemptions granted under the provisions of section 144.030, there shall also be specifically exempted from the provisions of sections 144.010 to 144.525, 144.600 to 144.748, and section 238.235, and the provisions of any local sales tax law, as defined in section 32.085, and from the computation of the tax levied, assessed or payable under sections 144.010 to 144.525, 144.600 to 144.748, and section 238.235, and the provisions of any local sales tax law, as defined in section 32.085, the purchase or storage by any common carrier engaged in the interstate air transportation of persons and cargo of tangible personal property, other than catered food and beverage products purchased for in-flight consumption and aviation jet fuel, within the state of Missouri, which tangible personal property is purchased or stored in the state of Missouri and is subsequently transported out of state by the common carrier and is used by the common carrier in the conduct of its business as a common carrier.

  2.  Any use of the tangible personal property by the common carrier, other than that incident to the delivery of the property to the carrier, the storage of the property by the carrier pending out-of-state transportation of the property by the carrier and the out-of-state transportation of the property by the carrier and subsequent use in the conduct of its business as a common carrier, shall subject the common carrier to liability for payment of sales and use tax, as applicable, with respect to such property so used by the common carrier in the state of Missouri, as if this exemption did not apply.

  3.  To qualify for the exemption under this section, the common carrier shall file an election with the department of revenue whereby the common carrier will agree to pay the state three hundred thousand dollars annually in equal monthly payments, on or before the fifteenth day of each such month, for the privilege of this election, and shall further agree that it will maintain records documenting the use and transportation of the tangible personal property outside the state of Missouri, as required under this section.  Once a common carrier makes this election, it may furnish its vendors a certificate in writing that it is a common carrier qualifying for exemption under this section and can purchase tangible personal property free of sales and use taxes.  To the extent the purchased property is used for its intended purpose in the state of Missouri, the carrier shall remit the appropriate tax directly to the department of revenue.