Cities obtain summary judgment ruling on telecom license taxes

On June 8, 2017, two Missouri cities represented by CVR, Columbia and Joplin, obtained a summary judgment ruling holding that CenturyLink is unlawfully and unjustifiably underpaying business license gross receipts taxes. See City of Columbia, et al. v. Spectra Communications Group, LLC, et al., 14SL-CC04026 (St. Louis Cnty. Cir. Ct. June 8, 2017). The court determined that the Cities’ municipal business license taxes apply to all revenue the telecommunications company receives that is attributable to its business in the Cities, including carrier “access,” a large source of revenue for CenturyLink statewide. The court also ordered CenturyLink to pay the Cities’ costs and attorneys’ fees for the suit.