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Comcast Lawsuit Argues New Washington Tax on Advertising Is Illegal
Comcast contends the law discriminates against internet ads by taxing them while exempting traditional media, potentially reducing state tax revenue by $475 million over four years, officials said.
- On September 9, Comcast initiated legal action in Thurston County to challenge Washington state's SB 5814, which will start imposing taxes on advertising services beginning October 1.
- The law, approved by the state legislature in April and enacted with the governor’s signature the following month, expands business taxes to help finance a $9 billion budget package.
- Comcast argues the law disproportionately taxes internet advertising while exempting most offline ads, violating the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act's ban on discriminatory taxes.
- Mikhail Carpenter stated striking the advertising tax could reduce revenue by roughly $475 million over four fiscal years, and Comcast warned the tax harms businesses, consumers, and the economy.
- If Comcast wins, it may prompt significant changes to the state budget and open the door to contesting comparable digital service taxes in other states.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Comcast Sues Washington State Over Its New Tax
Comcast has filed a lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court to invalidate a new Washington state law, SB 5814, which imposes a sales tax on online advertising services. Signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson in May 2025, the measure is set to take effect in October unless blocked by the courts according to MediaPost. […] The post Comcast Sues Washington State Over Its New Tax appeared first on Cord Cutters News.
The Columbian
Comcast lawsuit argues new Washington tax on advertising is illegal
Comcast is suing to block a new Washington law imposing sales tax on advertising services, imperiling a financial linchpin lawmakers relied on to balance the state’s budget.
Comcast Lawsuit Claims new Washington State tax is Illegal
OLYMPIA, WA – Comcast is suing to block a new Washington law imposing sales tax on advertising services, imperiling a financial linchpin lawmakers relied on to balance the state’s budget. The cable giant contends that the statute set to take effect Oct. 1 violates federal law because it does not apply the tax to all advertising services in the same manner. Attorneys for the corporation also assert that parts of the law are not allowed under the …
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