A majority of Ohio residents participating in an industry study said they support legislation to repeal the state's sales tax on satellite TV and believe it is unfair to tax services like DIRECTV and DISH Network but not cable.
The survey, results for which were released this week, was commissioned by the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association. "When it comes to taxing paid television, the taxman is playing favorites by giving a handout to cable users but the back of his hand to those who use and rely on satellite television services," SBCA President Joe Widoff said.
"Fairness is a central tenet of America, which is why people in Ohio support repealing the tax on satellite television services," Widoff added.
The state of Ohio charges satellite TV users a 5.5 percent sales tax but does not charge cable users any such tax. A bill sponsored by State Rep. Louis Blessing, the "Ohio Video Tax Fairness Act," would drop the sales tax on satellite TV services, reducing the bill for the about one million households who subscribe to DBS offerings.
The SBCA survey polled 400 Ohio households that subscribe to a paid TV service (cable or satellite) selected randomly from across the state. In addition, 100 Ohio households that subscribe to a satellite TV service were also surveyed.