10-04-2025
WA legislature considers tax on online dating companies
The Brief
A bill in the Washington legislature could tax online dating companies based on the amount of users they have in the state.
Money generated from the measure would solely go towards domestic violence programs, says bill sponsor Rep. Lauren Davis.
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Taxing Cupid to generate millions of dollars: that's the goal of one bill in the Washington state legislature targeting online dating companies.
What they're saying
House Bill 2071, sponsored by Representative Lauren Davis, wants to tax companies $1 per month for every Washingtonian using an online dating service.
While still working out the number, Rep. Davis says about half-a-million people in Washington are currently using an online dating app, so the measure could generate around $6 million every year for the state.
The money would solely go towards domestic violence programs, something Davis says has seen cuts in recent years.
A University of Pennsylvania study showed that dating partners had more cases of domestic violence than married spouses. Around 40% of dating relationships start online.
HB 2071 does not have a scheduled hearing yet, but Davis hopes it will be discussed during budget negotiations near the end of the session.
The Source
Information in this story is from Washington Representative Lauren Davis and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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