Beach levels playing field on admissions tax for sports

By Deirdre Fernandes
The Virginian-Pilot
© June 24, 2009

VIRGINIA BEACH

Laser tag players and ice skaters have achieved equal standing with golfers and bowlers in Virginia Beach - a t least when it comes to paying taxes.

The City Council voted Tuesday to charge participants of all sports the same 5 percent admissions tax.

Since 2001, the city code allowed folks who play seven sports, including golf, billiards, swimming and bowling, to pay a 5 percent tax on their ticket. The city hit all other sports participants with a 10 percent tax.

"That bylaw was discriminatory against other businesses," said Michael Lowry, whose company owns the Laser Quest center.

A 10 percent tax on a $8 or $9 ticket may be small change, but it adds up and may discourage large groups from going to ice-skating rinks and laser-tag venues, said Councilman Glenn Davis, who pushed for updating the policy.

The lower tax rate for some participatory sports was established when the city wanted to encourage golfing as a tourist attraction, said Phil Kellam, the city's commissioner of revenue.

He estimated that the city will lose out on about $55,000 in revenue by applying the reduced admissions tax rate to all participatory sports.

Among the sports that may potentially qualify now are paint ball, putt-putt golf, ice-skating and shooting at ranges, Kellam said.

"I expect to hear from a lot of businesses."

Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com

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luxury

Submitted by jfr on Tue, 06/23/2009 at 11:49 pm.

The tax should have been set at the higher rate for ALL. What about increasing the tax on those luxury boats that are docked in the city. People need a a place to live which are taxed to gain revenue, do they need to play laser tag or have a 30 footer docked? Think you can answer that one.