TMCnet News
Montana appealing Bresnan tax decision [Billings Gazette, Mont.](Billings Gazette (MT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 12--The Montana Department of Revenue is appealing a decision that Bresnan Communications is more a cable company than a telecommunications company and therefore should pay lower property taxes. Yellowstone District Judge Susan Watters recently ruled in Bresnan's favor that it should be taxed at 3 percent for cable and 6 percent for telephone, Internet and microwave equipment. Cable is a one-way communication system and is taxed lighter than two-way communications. On Wednesday, Revenue Department Director Dan Bucks said the $5.6 million dispute over Bresnan's 2010 property taxes will be appealed to the Montana Supreme Court. That means the refund of those taxes to Bresnan by 29 counties will be delayed. "No funds are owed by any local government to Bresnan Communications at this time," Bucks said. Revenue administrator Gene Walborn said the appeal process will probably take two years. Bresnan (now called Optimum) advertises itself as a telecommunications company, not a cable company, he said. "And in their annual report to the Security and Exchange Commission, they advertise that 90 percent of their business is two-way communications," he said. "I guess with all due respect to Judge Watters and the court, we believe she erred in her decision." ___ (c)2012 the Billings Gazette (Billings, Mont.) Visit the Billings Gazette (Billings, Mont.) at www.billingsgazette.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |