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
Digital Economy
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…
Indiana Department of Revenue rules that sales of digital coursework to universities are exempt from sales tax
On October 2, 2020, the Indiana Department of Revenue issued Revenue Ruling #2019-09ST concerning the sale of digital course materials to Indiana colleges and universities, which were made available to students on the schools’ online learning management systems. The Department determined that these sales were exempt from sales tax because: (i) the course materials were…
Indiana Introduces Surcharge Tax Bill Targeting Social Media Platforms
Representative J.D. Prescott (R) introduced Indiana House Bill 1312, which would impose a surcharge tax on social media providers. This proposed bill shares similarities with proposed digital advertising taxes in Maryland and New York, except that Indiana’s proposed surcharge tax is targeted at social media providers deriving revenue from advertising services on their…
New York Rings in the New Year by Proposing Bill that Would Expand Sales Tax Base to Digital Advertising Services
Legislation (S.302) was prefiled in the New York State Senate for the 2021-2022 legislative session that would expand the sales tax base to digital advertising services. The bill was prefiled by Democratic State Senator Kevin Thomas.
The bill defines “digital advertising services” as “advertisement services on a digital interface, including advertisements in…
Colorado Department of Revenue Amends Regulation to Tax Streaming Digital Goods
On December 1, 2020, the Colorado Department of Revenue adopted amendments to its tangible personal property rule – Rule 39-26-102(15) – that will impose sales tax on sales of streaming digital goods. The Department considers these amendments to be a “clarification” of their tangible personal property definition. Now, per the amended regulation, “[t]he method of…
New York Explains that Digital Marketing Service is Non-Taxable Advertising Service
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance issued an advisory opinion explaining that a taxpayer’s charges for digital marketing services are not subject to sales tax. The taxpayer provides digital marketing services to its customers which allow the customers the ability to track the effectiveness of their marketing strategies. The services provided by…
Tax on Broadband Service Providers is New York’s Newest Bad Idea
Companion bills recently introduced in New York State (A. 11180 and S. 9112) would impose a temporary tax on businesses that provide broadband internet access service. Revenues generated from the tax would be earmarked to fund the provision of broadband internet access services to students in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.…
Maryland’s Proposed Digital Advertising Tax (HB 732) – Insights and Analysis
Ongoing insights and analysis regarding Maryland’s proposed digital ad tax bill
The Latest
- Maryland lawmakers are expected to revive a pair of failed controversial tax expansion proposals shortly after the scheduled start of the next legislative session on January 13, 2021.
- On May 7, Governor Larry Hogan vetoed H.B. 732, which proposed a first
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