Senate Bill Report SB 5541 — Exempting Newspapers from Business and Occupation Tax
Summary
Senate Bill Report SB 5541, as of January 18, 2022, concerns exempting newspapers from business and occupation tax; the sponsors are Senators Mullet, Gildon, Keiser, Liias and Lovick. The brief summary states that the bill exempts newspapers from having to pay the business and occupation tax. The background says that under current statute, businesses that print or publish newspapers are subject to a 0.35 percent B&O tax, and that this tax preference is set to expire July 1, 2024. The summary of the bill says the B&O tax does not apply to any person engaging within the state of Washington in the business of printing a newspaper, publishing a newspaper, or both. It states that the bill takes effect on July 1, 2022.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
- Issuer
- Congressional materials
- Document type
- Report
- Date
- 2022-01-20
- Case
- 2022 01 20 A29484 D238031 Bill Report 5541 Sba Bfst 22
Cite this document
“Senate Bill Report SB 5541 — Exempting Newspapers from Business and Occupation Tax.”
Original at app.leg.wa.gov, dated 2022-01-20. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2022-01-20-2022-01-20-a29484-d238031-bill-report-5541-sba-bfst-22/
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SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5541
As of January 18, 2022
Title: An act relating to exempting newspapers from business and occupation tax.
Brief Description: Exempting newspapers from business and occupation tax.
Sponsors: Senators Mullet, Gildon, Keiser, Liias and Lovick.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Business, Financial Services & Trade: 1/20/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
• Exempts newspapers from having to pay the business and occupation
tax.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, FINANCIAL SERVICES & TRADE
Staff: Clinton McCarthy (786-7319)
Background: In 2008 and again in 2012, the Legislature temporarily revised the definition
of newspaper to include electronic versions of newspapers. The effect of this is that both
the online version of a newspaper and the physical version of a newspaper are taxed at the
business & occupation (B&O) rate of 0.35 percent until July 1, 2015. If the electronic
version of a newspaper is not included in the definition of a newspaper, the B&O tax will
apply to the electronic version based on the revenue-generating activity. For advertising
revenues the rate of 1.5 percent would apply, and for subscription sales the rate of 0.471
percent would apply. In 2015, the Legislature clarified that the electronic version of a
newspaper is a supplement to the printed newspaper, which creates a blended rate for the
reporting of B&O taxes for newspapers.
Under current statute, businesses that print or publish newspapers are subject to a 0.35
percent B&O tax. These businesses have to file a complete annual tax performance report
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
constitute a statement of legislative intent.
Senate Bill Report -1- SB 5541
with the Department of Revenue. This tax preference is set to expire July 1, 2024.
Summary of Bill: The B&O tax does not apply to any person engaging within the state of
Washington in the business of printing a newspaper, publishing a newspaper, or both.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2022.
Senate Bill Report -2- SB 5541
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- Original
- app.leg.wa.gov