Apple Avoids New Orleans Sales Tax on Music Streaming Services

Apple Inc. successfully fended off about $676,000 in sales tax and interest because the company offered music streaming services similar to that of SiriusXM’s untaxed services, a Louisiana tax board’s opinion released Monday said.

New Orleans didn’t assess sales tax on SiriusXM’s radio services but targeted similar Apple Music services because they were provided through the internet, thus violating the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act, Tax Judge Cade R. Cole said.

• The city didn’t oppose Apple’s motion for summary judgment, the Louisiana Board of Tax Appeals said
• The ITFA prohibits discriminatory taxes, which are taxes on electronic commerce ...