Hanover, Timeline Arcade debate amusement tax

VectorGamer · July 17, 2014

http://www.eveningsun.com/local/ci_26162498/hanover-timeline-arcade-debate-amusement-tax

Timeline Arcade is not an arcade, but a museum of the past, owner maintains

By Lauren Linhard

llinhard@eveningsun.com @linhardreports on Twitter

Posted: 07/16/2014 09:32:33 PM EDT

Crowds gather outside of the Hanover Heritage and Conference Center before the Timeline Arcade opening in November 2013. (THE EVENING SUN -- KALANI GORDON )

The 40-year-old policy regarding Hanover Borough's amusement tax was found wanting in the face of modern gaming at the finance committee meeting July 16.

Timeline Arcade owner Brandon Spencer said he does not think he should have to pay a $5,400 amusement tax because his establishment does not specialize in coin-operated devices as the borough's policy requires.

Timeline customer pay a flat fee for 30-minute increments of playing time, Spencer said, and at no time is money inserted into any of the machines.

"This tax was put in place when these machines were making top dollar, compared to now when they make a few thousand per year," he said. "By putting this tax on us, it strains the business."

Committee member Robert Marcoccio agreed with Spencer, saying that since the ordinance only includes coin-operated machines, charging Timeline Arcade would be rewriting the law.

The borough should let the tax money go this year, said committee member Kim Griffin, since it's clear the policy is out of date. The best that can be done is to rewrite the policy and be prepared for next year, she said.

However, solicitor Jim Yingst said Timeline Arcade is still providing amusement devices to the public and thus should be charged the amusement tax.

No immediate decision was reached, but the committee agreed to take the matter under consideration with plans to discuss both the ordinance and whether Spencer should pay the tax in the future.

The issue is not expected to appear on this month's council agenda, said finance committee chair James Roth.

Shawn · July 28, 2014

Sounds like the guy is trying to cheat paying his taxes. Just cause he's not making $$$ doesn't mean he gets a pass. Coins in the register or coins in the machine it's all the same thing.