Given the dramatic limitations on business travel and mandatory work-from home policies caused by COVID-19 concerns, multistate employers should evaluate how these disruptions impact their state and local tax obligations related to employment. Following is a brief summary of the state and local employment tax issues that multistate employers may need to address during the
Digital Economy
Illinois Supreme Court will not review Chicago streaming tax
In 2015, Chicago expanded its 9% “amusement tax” to reach amusements that are delivered electronically. In September , 2019, an Illinois appellate court held in Labell v. City of Chicago that the new streaming tax complied with the state constitution and did not violate the Internet Tax Freedom Act. On March 25, 2020, the Illinois…
Florida appellate court rules vacation rental platforms not obligated to collect local lodging tax
In Gannon v. Airbnb, Inc., a Florida appellate court held that vacation rental platforms are not required to collect local lodging tax. The ruling reasons that the tax is imposed on the owner of the property, and vacation rental platforms are “conduits,” not owners. A dissenting opinion analogized rental platforms to property managers, which…
West Virginia governor vetoes rental company marketplace facilitator bill
The West Virginia governor vetoed S.B. 163, which would require vacation rental platforms and hotel booking platforms to collect and remit local occupancy taxes. It is believed the veto is tied to technical concerns about how the localities are to collect the tax.
The bill passed the senate unanimously and the house by a…
Georgia DOR issued marketplace facilitation guidance
The Georgia Department of Revenue released guidance on March 17 clarifying that marketplace facilitators will be required to collect and remit state sales tax being April 1. The bulletin states that marketplace sellers in the state are not required to collect or remit state sales or use tax on retail sales that the marketplace facilitator…
10 Things You Need to Know About the Maryland Digital Advertising Tax
On a recent podcast, our State and Local Tax team discussed the Maryland digital advertising tax, which proposes a first of its kind state tax on digital advertising imposed on gross revenues of up to 10%. The bill awaits Governor Larry Hogan’s signature – and he is expected to veto it.
Here are…
Podcast: Maryland’s digital ad tax – everything you need to know in 10 Minutes
This podcast discusses the recently passed Maryland digital advertising tax, which proposes a first of its kind state tax on digital advertising imposed on gross revenues of up to 10%. The bill awaits Governor Larry Hogan’s signature – and he is expected to veto it. Our State and Local Tax team provides a ten…
Maryland Passes Digital Advertising Service Tax
Earlier today, the Maryland legislature passed H.B. 732, which proposes a first of its kind Digital Advertising Gross Revenues Tax. The legislature also passed H.B. 932, which would expand Maryland’s sales tax to sales of digital products (both downloads and streaming). The bills will now be sent to Governor Hogan for signature or veto.…
Connecticut seeks to extend marketplace facilitator rules to peer-to-peer car sharing
Connecticut H.B. 5458 would include “marketplace facilitators” as persons responsible for the dollar-a-day surcharge imposed on the short-term rental of a passenger vehicle. The legislation incorporates by reference the definition of “marketplace facilitator” in the sales tax code – a person who is compensated for the facilitation of at least $250,000 in retail sales of…
A Night to Forget: Maryland’s Digital Advertising Services and Digital Products Tax Proposals Move Closer to Passage
During the evening of St. Patrick’s Day, the Maryland State Senate passed on third reading (i.e., a floor vote) H.B. 732, which would impose a new Digital Advertising Gross Revenues Tax and H.B. 932, which would expand Maryland’s sales tax to digital products, including streaming. H.B. 732 passed by a vote of 29-16, and…



