FCC Should Facilitate Deferred Taxes on Reverse Auction Proceeds, Broadcasters Say

The FCC could encourage more auction participation by implementing procedures that “facilitate deferred tax treatment of reverse auction proceeds,” said “representatives of the commonly-owned licensees of commercial broadcast television stations concentrated in several of the largest” designated market areas, according to an ex parte filing by Wiley Rein broadcast attorney Ari Meltzer in docket 12-268. The representatives weren't identified in the filing under a Media Bureau rule that allows broadcast auction participants to meet with the FCC to discuss the auction without disclosing their identities. “Realistic” broadcaster participation could result in a high clearing target and limited impaired spectrum, the broadcast representatives said. Other broadcasters have been raising similar issues at the FCC and in interviews with us (see 1511130041).