King County businesses collect expired stadium tax

Published 10:41 am Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Mirror staff reports:

The 1996 food and beverage tax passed to fund the construction of Safeco Field expired in October 2011. The Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) is reminding local businesses and bars that the half-cent tax no longer applies.

The DOR has notified businesses of the expiration, but says it’s still receiving reports of businesses collecting the extra half cent.

“It concerns us that some businesses are still collecting this tax nearly six months after it ended,” said DOR Director Brad Flaherty.

The DOR notes that King County businesses, bars and taverns should now only be collecting the state and local sales taxes, which are between 8.6 percent to 9.5 percent, and not collecting 9.1 to 10 percent. The state is contacting businesses that still apply the expired taxes, in an effort to help provide them with correct reporting instructions. Along with this, the state is working with industry associations to remind businesses, eateries and bars that the tax has expired.

If a business has overcharged, it’s advised that customers receive a refund upon request. More information is available at dor.wa.gov/stadiumtaxes.