Wireless Co. Contends Low-Income Aid Merits $4 Million Tax Break

Assurance Wireless USA LP told the Washington Supreme Court that it’s entitled to nearly $4 million in retailing business and occupation tax refunds because it provides free wireless services to low-income users.

The state Supreme Court should reverse a lower court’s finding because retail sales didn’t take place since the services are provided for free, Assurance Wireless said.

“The Department misconstrued these activities as ‘transactions,’ presupposing, without analysis, that a retail sale exists,” the company’s Aug. 25 briefsaid.

The high court should uphold the lower court’s ruling in favor of Washington because Assurance Wireless is the seller in the ...