Chicago Gamers Will Have to Pay an Extra Tax on PlayStation Store Purchases Soon

PlayStation gamers will now be subject to the same Amusement Tax that other Chicago residents face when they try and have a nice weekend by going to the amusement park or a concert.

The 9 percent tax will hit PlayStation services on November 14 and the tax will be levied on PlayStation Store receipts, including PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Now, PlayStation Vue, PlayStation Music, PlayStation Video On Demand, and PlayStation Video Live Events. Reports from PlayStation users say they began receiving a notice of the tax earlier this week.

Additional reports suggest local taxes will roll out to PlayStation in other areas including New York City. Sony began enforcing local tax policies on PSN since 2016, and local taxes can affect everything from digital content to Amazon purchases depending on where you live.

PlayStation isn't the only digital service affected by Chicago's Amusement Tax. Spotify, Netflix, and Xbox are all subjected to the same taxes enacted under mayor Rahm Emanuel and has seen Netflix raise subscription prices in Chicago. The tax has also been called the "Hamilton Tax" after its effect over the popular Broadway musical Hamilton which is also taxed in Chicago.

The tax isn't popular in the city of Chicago, but Emanuel says the taxes are necessary to shore up the city's pensions. Several companies like Apple and Netflix are taking action against the city for the taxes, but until any changes are made PlayStation gamers are now subject to the same tax as other amusement activities.

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