Wisc. Legislature Approves Download Tax

MADISON, Wisc. — Wisconsin lawmakers have approved a bill requiring a five-percent sales tax on Internet downloads including adult content. The tax goes into effect Oct. 1.

"This is not a straightforward issue and it's going to take some time to have the system up and running," Wisconsin House Majority Leader Tom Nelson said.

A representative with the Illinois Department of Revenue told reporters that Illinois looked into taxing the web as well, but opted out because of the difficulty of taxing businesses that don't have physical locations in the state.

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has said that the tax — music, E-books, greeting cards and ring tones — will generate about $11 million over the next two years. The state is short almost $600 million for the budget ending June 30, and the next budget faces a deficit of $5.7 billion.

A similar proposal presented two years ago did not make it out of committee.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Dreamcam Rolls Out Web-Based Passthrough VR

Dreamcam has introduced web-based passthrough VR functionality to its streaming platform.

2026 TEAs Nominees Announced

Nominees for the 2026 Trans Erotica Awards (TEAs), presented by Clips4Sale, have been announced. The ceremony will return to the Avalon in Hollywood on Sunday, March 8.

Lauren Phillips, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top 100 Stars of 2025

AEBN has revealed its top 100-selling stars of 2025 in both gay and straight theaters.

Former IEAU Officer Sentenced to 4 Months

Amanda Gullesserian, who performed in the industry under the name Phyllisha Anne and founded the now-defunct International Entertainment Adult Union (IEAU), has been sentenced to four months’ imprisonment for making a false statement in an IEAU federal financial report.

2026 XBIZ LA Conference Schedule Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full show schedule for the XBIZ 2026 conference, set to take place Jan. 12-15 at the Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood.

Needemand Joins ASACP as Corporate Sponsor

French startup company Needemand has signed on as the latest corporate sponsor for Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

Utah State Legislator Proposes New 'Porn Tax'

A Utah state senator introduced a bill on Monday that would impose a 7% tax on the gross receipts of adult websites doing business in that state, plus require adult sites to pay an annual $500 fee.

Carlotta Champagne is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for January

LoyalFans has named Carlotta Champagne as its Featured Creator for January.

Pineapple Support Relaunches Site

Pineapple Support has updated and relaunched its website.

Arcom-Targeted Sites Implement Age Verification in France

Five high-traffic adult websites based outside of France have implemented age verification as required under the nation’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, after receiving warnings from French media regulator Arcom.

Show More