New York State Proposes 8% Sales Tax on Spotify & Streaming

New York state is proposing to impose an 8% sales tax on Spotify, Netflix and other streaming services to increase public transit funding.

New York residents may soon be asked to pay more for streaming services, according to report From WGRZ. The New York State Legislature has introduced a budget bill that includes an 8% sales tax (4% state and 4% local sales tax) on digital media subscriptions such as Spotify, Netflix and Audible.

The proposal states that media or “digital products” that are “distributed, streamed or accessed electronically or digitally” will be taxed. This tax excludes cable and satellite television and physical print media such as magazines and newspapers.

Most of that tax goes to the costs of New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA).Ann Estimate $63 million will be raised for the MTA by 2027, with an estimated $46 million going to public transit elsewhere in the state.

“I think this is just another example of needing more money or income for every new program that is an extension they come up with.” To tell New York State Rep. Stephen Hawley (R-Batavia) opposing the Democratic-led congressional proposal.

“It makes absolutely no sense. It’s unwise to attack every individual who uses this type of device on their TV or computer, and it’s actually aimed at workers in our state.”

“I know the MTA is desperate for resources, and frankly, I also know the NFTA is desperate for additional resources,” said the state’s final House Majority Leader Crystal People-Stokes (D-Buffalo) is hopeful about the budget. Include suggestions.

“If you’re driving a car and you’re talking to someone who doesn’t need to use the bus, they’re probably going to say, ‘Why is there a new tax in place?’ If you talk to someone who takes a bus, they’ll say, ‘Yeah, I need help with public transportation.