Subd. 1. Words, terms, and phrases.

Unless the language or context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended, the following words, terms, and phrases, for the purposes of sections 287.21 to 287.31, have the meanings given to them in this section.

Subd. 2. Consideration.

1. (a) "Consideration" means generally the total monetary value that is given in return for a conveyance of real property in this state and includes all lump-sum payments, all prior or future installment payments that are required under the agreement between the parties, and the fair market value of any property taken, or to be taken, in exchange.
2. (b) Consideration does not include the reasonable and lawful amounts of interest paid for the privilege of paying the purchase price in installments and the fair market value of any items of intangible personal property that are conveyed by the taxable instrument.
3. (c) Consideration does not include the amount paid for the personal property located on the real property being conveyed and transferred as a part of the total consideration, except that the amount paid for the personal property located on the real property being conveyed must be included if the real property being conveyed is a one-, two-, or three-unit residential structure.
4. (d) When a conveyance of real property is made pursuant to a contract for deed, the consideration is the price for the real property reflected in the contract; except that, subject to the limitations under section 287.221, when the conveyance is made by a person engaged in the business of land sales or construction of buildings and other improvements, or by an affiliated person, then the consideration is the amount paid for the land and the improvements. By January 1, 2001, the commissioner shall adopt rules that define the phrases "engaged in the business of land sales or construction of buildings and other improvements" and "affiliated person" as those phrases are used in this paragraph.
5. (e) "Total consideration" has the same meaning as consideration.
6. (f) "Consideration, exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining at the time of sale" or "net consideration" means the amount of consideration as reduced by the amount outstanding under any lien that attached to the real property prior to the time of sale and that is not released or satisfied as a result of the sale.

Subd. 3. Consolidation or merger.

"Consolidation" or "merger" means the combination of all of the assets of two or more corporations, limited liability companies, or partnerships, or any combination of these entities, whether or not title to the assets is taken by a newly created entity or by a preexisting entity that survives the consolidation or merger in an altered form.

Subd. 4. Documentary stamps.

"Documentary stamps" means all stamps issued by the county for use in payment of the taxes imposed by sections 287.21 to 287.37.

Subd. 5. Lien.

"Lien" means any legal claim, other than an easement, created by contract, statute, or law on the real property of another as security for a debt or obligation. For purposes of the deed tax, the term "encumbrance" is synonymous with the term "lien" and an easement is not a lien.

Subd. 6. Person.

"Person" includes any individual, partner, officer, director, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association, cooperative, social club, fraternal organization, municipal or private corporation, whether organized for profit or not, estate, trusts, business trusts, receiver, trustee, syndicate, the United States, a state, any political subdivision of a state, or any group or combination acting as a unit, and the plural as well as the singular. The term includes directors and officers of corporations, governors and managers of a limited liability company, or members of partnerships who, either individually or jointly with others, have control, supervision, or responsibility of making or authorizing payment of the tax imposed by section 287.21. The term includes any agent of any individual or organization enumerated in this subdivision.

Subd. 7. Real property, real estate, and land.

"Real property," "real estate," and "land" mean any fee simple estate, and any estate for life, as defined in chapter 500, and the purchaser's interest under a contract for the conveyance of such an estate.

Subd. 8. Record, recorded, and recording.

"Record," "recorded," and "recording" each mean that a document has been delivered to and filed in the office of the county recorder or registrar of titles, whichever office maintains the records for the real property described in the document.

Subd. 9. Reorganization.

"Reorganization" means the transfer of substantially all of the assets of a corporation, a limited liability company, or a partnership not in the usual or regular course of business.