Pull-Tab Tax Decision Put Off

The Spokane City Council is delaying a decision on whether to lower the tax on pull-tabs.

Mayor John Talbott said Monday the council wants to take a closer look at how much tax money the city earns from gambling institutions before possibly changing the way pull-tab taxes are levied.

The proposal is expected to come back before the council in May or June.

Currently, businesses that sell the hand-held paper gambling games must pay a 5 percent tax on total sales. The proposed change would tax profit only - but at a higher rate of 10 percent.

Reducing the tax would cost the city about $300,000 a year. That loss may be offset by taxes on card rooms. , DataTimes