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Lakewood staff estimate up to $42.1M in telecom tax refunds after court ruling; council authorizes budget moves to start payouts
Summary
Following a Colorado court ruling that invalidated city telecom tax amendments as TABOR revenue, staff told council they identified 177 businesses and estimate up to $42.1 million in refunds (about $29M principal plus $13.1M interest). Council approved the refund resolution and a supplemental budget ordinance to enable payouts and transfers from the TABOR fund and general fund.
Lakewood finance staff presented council with the legal and fiscal consequences of a court decision finding that amendments to the city’s business‑and‑occupation (B&O) telecommunications tax implemented in 1996 and 2015 were invalid under Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). The ruling requires the city to refund taxes collected pursuant to those ordinances for the 4‑year pre‑lawsuit window and to adjust prior TABOR transfers.
Staff identified 177 businesses that remitted B&O tax during the relevant period and mailed letters to their registered agents on Dec. 3, giving a 60‑day response window. As of the presentation, 23 businesses had…
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