Groups file challenge of Maryland’s law taxing online ads

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland’s first-in-the-nation law taxing digital advertising by Big Tech companies such as Facebook and Google is being challenged in federal court as “a punitive assault” on digital advertising and should be struck down, according to a federal lawsuit filed Thursday by leading trade associations.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, contends the law “is illegal in myriad ways.” It alleges the law violates the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act, which prohibits discrimination against electronic commerce, as well as other federal laws.

It seeks an injunction to block the law from taking effect. The plaintiffs say the lawsuit should put on notice other states considering a similar tax that such measures will face court challenges.

“It shouldn’t be a surprise that enacting this kind of law is really nothing but a one-way ticket to the courthouse, which is an unfortunate use of anyone’s resources,” said Michael Kimberly, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs.

Plaintiffs include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Internet Association, NetChoice, and the Computer and Communications Industry Association.

The Maryland General Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats, last week overrode Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto.

Supporters say the new law seeks to modernize the state’s tax system and make thriving Big Tech companies pay their fair share. It would assess the tax on revenue affected companies make on digital advertisements seen in Maryland. They say the estimated $250 million in annual revenue would help pay for education.

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat who sponsored the legislation last year, it was “disappointing to see these companies spend millions on high powered attorneys instead of paying their fair share.”

“For two decades, these companies have grown exponentially by availing themselves of the privileges of states, benefited from the aggressive uncompensated collection of personal and private information about Maryland’s residents, and been free riders to Maryland’s investments in our civic infrastructure,” Ferguson said.

The law would tax revenue affected companies make on digital advertisements shown in Maryland. Tax rates would depend on global annual gross revenues for companies that make more than $100 million globally. The tax rate would be 2.5 percent for businesses with gross annual revenue of $100 million; 5 percent for companies with revenue of $1 billion or more; 7.5 percent for companies with revenue of $5 billion or more and 10 percent for companies with revenue of $15 billion or more.