Bill > HB1558

This bill modifies the tax treatment of radio and television broadcasters in Washington state by establishing a new tax calculation method. Specifically, the bill sets the tax rate for radio and television broadcasting businesses at 0.484 percent of gross income, but provides two methods for excluding revenues from network, national, and regional advertising. Broadcasters can either use a standard deduction published by the state department based on national census data (to be updated every five years) or calculate an itemized deduction that excludes the portion of revenue representing out-of-state audience. The bill defines "radio and television broadcasting" broadly as the delivery of audio, video, and written information by a station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, including delivery through various means like wire, satellite, or other technologies. The legislation removes previous language in the existing tax code that detailed specific methods for calculating advertising revenue exclusions, effectively updating and simplifying the tax calculation process for broadcasting businesses. The bill also includes a technical provision stating that certain standard legislative review requirements do not apply to this act.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1558&Year=2025&Initiative=false