It'll be Harrah's vs. Louisiana: Judge sides with state in tax dispute over casino's hotel taxes
A Baton Rouge judge has sided Tuesday with the Louisiana Department of Revenue in a key question in the state’s dispute with Harrah’s over whether the casino should be paying taxes on complimentary or discounted hotel rooms, setting up a trial where the state could seek tens of millions in back taxes from the company.
Judge William Morvant of the 19th Judicial District ruled that Harrah’s should be paying those taxes dating back to 2001, when lawmakers revised the deal that allows the company to operate Louisiana’s only land-based casino.
The issue drew the interest of state leaders including Gov. John Bel Edwards as lawmakers passed an extension of Harrah’s license during the legislative session that ended last month. The amount of taxes at stake is estimated to be between $30 million and $50 million.
While the litigation remains ongoing, the ruling Tuesday answers a key question in the case. A trial is scheduled for September to determine how much money Harrah’s owes in back taxes.
Read more: https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_3e8ed15c-9ceb-11e9-b7ee-7f84c72c87c4.html