Vending

DC lawmakers revive soda tax

March 31, 2021

Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have renewed calls for a soda tax, replacing the existing tax on sugar beverages with an excise tax of 1.5 cents per ounce, according to a dcist.com report. The proposal failed in 2019 in the face of soda industry opposition, although the council raised the sales tax from 6% to 8%.

Retailers and distributors pay excise taxes, as opposed to sales taxes, which customers pay.

Advocates claim the excise ta would discourage customers from buying sugary drinks.