#digital-advertising-tax

#digital-advertising-tax

In an ill-fated effort to "modernize" its tax code, Washington state expanded its sales tax to include digital advertising, among other services. Modernizing sales tax is a noble goal, but not at the expense of hurting state businesses and violating fundamental principles of sound sales tax policy. It's too late in the day for the tax to be vetoed, since it took effect Oct. 1, but the state should still reverse course and repeal this folly.

Maryland's first-in-the-nation tax on digital advertising violated the Constitution as it prevents companies from informing customers about the tax, infringing on their free speech rights.