Students respond to Netflix tax

Fullerton students express their discontent and confusion with the highly discussed “Netflix Tax,” which over 45 California cities are considering passing. This 9.4 % video streaming tax would make Netflix membership prices increase from $9.99 to $10.93—nearing an additional dollar a month.

Pasadena is currently deciding whether to impose the tax. They are hoping that this additional revenue will make up for the loss of cable subscriptions in recent years. According to the NY Times, the Netflix tax would be considered as an individual utility. Therefore, people with Hulu and Amazon would have additional costs added to their bills.  

Junior Stephanie Flores says that if the Netflix Tax were passed in Fullerton her parents might cancel their Netflix account all together.

“I would be annoyed because that would give my parents another reason to cancel it,” said Flores. “The price going up would result in me having to convince my parents to keep it.”

Stephanie Flores posing with Netflix app.

Flores has had her Netflix account for nearly 3 years, the list of shows she watches ranging from Grey’s Anatomy to The Flash to The Vampire Diaries.

“I can’t live without Netflix. I try to watch an hour a day even though I have a lot of homework,” said Flores. On weekends or during breaks Flores would watch for at least two hours a day.

However, some students like Junior Madeline Rosado aren’t worried about this prospective Netflix Tax.

“I don’t know. It’s kind of weird, but if they have to, then sure,” said Rosado, who has been regularly using Netflix for a few months now.

While the idea of the Netflix tax gains recognition throughout California, it has already been passed in Chicago and Pennsylvania. According to the OC Register, Chicago residents are suing against the price hike for it most likely violates the Internet Tax Freedom Act.

As of now, Fullerton residents can watch their favorite shows in peace and should not worry too much about Netflix tax.