Massachusetts Challenged on New Satellite Television Tax

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Massachusetts approved a new 5% tax on satellite television providers. The new tax is part of the state's 2010 budget plan approved last summer.

This tax is being challenged by the satellite industry because it is not also applied to cable television providers (who pay a 5% franchise fee to use public rights of way for burying cables).

It should be noted that despite the apparent equality of the 5% tax and 5% franchise fee; the two are only the same in their rate. This tax raises several issues and questions.

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