Bill > SB5457

This bill modifies tax regulations for radio and television broadcasters in Washington state by creating a new tax structure. Specifically, broadcasters will be taxed at a rate of 0.484 percent of their gross income, but with an important exemption for network, national, and regional advertising revenues. These advertising revenues can be calculated in two ways: either using a standard deduction based on national census data (updated every five years) or through an itemized method that excludes revenues from out-of-state audiences. The bill defines "radio and television broadcasting" broadly as the delivery of audio, video, and written information by stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), including transmission via wire, satellite, or other means. The calculation of out-of-state audience is based on specific technical signal strength measurements for different types of broadcasting (AM radio, FM radio, and television channels). This legislation aims to provide a more nuanced and potentially more favorable tax treatment for broadcasting businesses by allowing them to exclude certain advertising revenues from their taxable income.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5457&Year=2025&Initiative=false