IP: Taxing satellites

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> X-Lotus-FromDomain: COMPUTAX
> From: Richard_Jarvis () cch com
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2001 08:30:29 -0500
> Subject: Taxing satellites
>
> Since I specialize in state and local taxation, I would like to point out that
> the taxing of satellite property is not really a new idea. Just at the local
> level for property tax purposes it might be a little novel. For state 
> income tax
> purposes, it is common to calculate the value of satellites and how often they
> are used to either uplink or downlink to a particular state as a way of
> determining how much of the income from the bird should be taxed in the 
> state in
> question. It is pretty complicated and quite a mess to sort out.
>
> For property tax purposes, it is true that aircraft and other mobile property
> are taxed. Airlines often pay property taxes in counties that have major
> airports based on some sort of proportional use calculation. States try to
> determine the number of miles flown over the state in making their 
> calculations
> for income tax and sometimes even sales tax purposes. I'm sure Hughes is quite
> concerned given the value of the satellites in question and I'm sure that some
> smart assessor in LA has found a way to possibly solve many of the county's
> budget problems if this flies (no pun intended).
>
> Richard Jarvis
> Managing Editor
> CCH INCORPORATED



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