On January 29, Connecticut Rep. Josh Elliot, D-Hamden, and twenty-four other co-sponsors filed proposed HB 6187, which proposes to establish a 10 percent tax on the annual gross revenues derived from digital advertising services in the state for any business with annual worldwide gross revenues exceeding $10 billion. The proposed bill calls for
Digital Economy
Washington proposes tax on sales of personal information and data
On January 19, 2021, House Bill 1303 was filed, which would amend the Business and Occupation Tax to impose a tax of 1.8% on gross income of a business engaged in selling or exchanging personal data within Washington. The bill defines “personal data” to include any information that is linked or reasonably linked to an…
Antisocial Behavior: Proposed Connecticut Bill Would Tax Social Media Advertising Revenue
A “proposed bill” introduced in the Connecticut General Assembly (No. 5645) proposes the establishment of a tax on “social media provider companies,” which would be measured by “apportioned annual gross revenue derived from social media advertising services” in Connecticut. The proposed bill calls for the revenue from such tax to be partially dedicated…
New York tax department determines e-mail and consulting services not subject to sales tax
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance issued an advisory opinion concluding that a taxpayer’s e-mail and consulting services are not subject to New York sales tax. The service allows customers to remotely send e-mails using its platform. The Department concluded that it was an e-mail service not taxable as “Internet access” under…
Iowa Department of Revenue explains computer sales tax exemption
The Iowa Department of Revenue issued a bulletin explaining its sales tax exemption for purchases of computers, along with the recently-enacted exemption for purchases of computer peripherals. The exemption applies to computers and computer peripherals used in processing or storage of data or information by an insurance company, financial institution, or commercial enterprise. The guidance…
Kansas governor proposes sales tax on digital products and marketplace facilitator tax collection
On January 13, 2021, the governor of Kansas released her budget report for fiscal year 2022, which would require marketplace facilitators to begin collecting retail sales and compensating use taxes on sales to Kansas customers on July 1, 2021. The budget also contains a proposal to impose sales tax on all sales of digital property…
New York State Assembly proposes surcharge on delivery transactions
On January 11, 2021, the New York State Assembly introduced A.B. 1612, which would impose a three dollar ($3.00) surcharge on each delivery transaction where the delivery is made within New York City. The surcharge would not apply to deliveries of food or essential medical supplies. Liability for the surcharge would be imposed on…
Tennessee Department of Revenue issues marketplace facilitator ruling for a delivery network company
The Tennessee Department of Revenue posted Revenue Ruling #20-13 regarding whether a taxpayer is a marketplace facilitator subject to sales and use tax collection on sales made on its platform. The taxpayer in this ruling operates an online forum that connects retailers (mostly restaurants) with independent delivery persons. The definition of a marketplace facilitator in…
Rhode Island clarifies sales taxation of advertising software
On December 29, 2020, the Rhode Island Division of Taxation issued a declaratory ruling concerning the taxability of marketing analytic services using proprietary software and an online dashboard hosted on the taxpayer’s own servers. The software and services help customers develop advertising services and evaluate the effectiveness of advertising. According to the Division, the taxpayer’s…
New York senator introduces digital ad tax bill
On January 7, 2021, New York senator Michael Gianaris introduced S.1124, which would impose a new gross revenues tax on digital ads. The tax would be imposed on the annual gross revenues any person derives from digital advertising services apportioned to the state based on digital advertising receipts. “Digital advertising services” is defined to…



