April 3, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

L.A. City Council renews tax break for Internet -based businesses, Garcetti and Bonin back extension

The Los Angeles City Council today renewed a tax break for Internet-based businesses in Los Angeles that was set to expire in December.

Companies that fit the definition of the Internet-based businesses pay $1.01 per every $1,000 in gross receipts, but would have paid the $5.07 rate now being paid by most other businesses, if the council did not take action.

The reduced tax, aimed at attracting internet companies to Los Angeles, will be in effect until 2018. The council also ordered a study of the effects of the tax reduction.

Westside-area City Councilman Mike Bonin, who was behind the extension, said Los Angeles benefits when “smart, creative and innovative technology companies choose to start businesses in L.A.”

“Incentives like this have helped draw start-ups to the Southland and I am thrilled that the council is continuing to work toward making Los Angeles a great place to do business,” he said.

In Venice, Google rents about 100,000 square-feet of space in the Frank Gehry-designed “binoculars” building on Main Street — for about 500 employees — that was originally occupied by Chiat/Day Advertising.

Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who partnered with Bonin to get the ordinance passed, said Internet businesses in Los Angeles were growing in importance to the regional economy and he was “pleased to see the council support these businesses and ensure that this highly mobile industry continues make its home and thrive within the city of Los Angeles.”

Among the businesses that wrote in to support of extending the Internet business incentive included online dating companies eHarmony and Grindr, messaging application company Snapchat and e-commerce site Shopzilla.

An eHarmony executive, COO Armen Avedissian, wrote that the company, now headquartered in Santa Monica, was “very seriously considering a move to the city of L.A. upon the expiration of our lease in July 2015.”

Mayor Eric Garcetti also backed the extension of the tax break, which he helped author while a councilman, writing in a letter to council members that the tax break was instrumental in persuading game developer Riot Games to move to Los Angeles.

Facebook has also opened offices in the city since the tax rate was reduced for Internet businesses in 2010, he wrote.

Related Posts

Scoop Dreams Come True: Van Leeuwen Launches New Beverly Hills Shop

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Van Leeuwen’s Beverly Hills Opening Comes With Sweet Perks Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, a New York City-born brand celebrated for...

WeHo’s WeHappy Wednesdays Serve Up Big Discounts In Addition to Zero Parking Fees

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Free Parking and $5 Cocktails? WeHo Makes Wednesdays Worth It The City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Chamber...

Saijo Hand Roll Rolls into Culver City with Premium Japanese Ingredients

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Binchotan-Fired Perfection: Saijo Rolls Out Premium Sushi in West LA A new destination for hand rolls and Japanese culinary craftsmanship...

(Video) Check Out Bernie’s, a New Pop Up at Citizen Public Market in Culver City

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Made with fresh frozen fruit and a toasted merengue topping these flavors are irresistible. The pop up will be at...

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter  A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President...

Levain Bakery to Open Venice Location with Special Guests and Charitable Twist

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Bigger Than a Cookie: Levain’s Venice Opening Is a Flavorful Fundraiser Levain Bakery, the cult-favorite cookie destination founded in New...

LAX Airport Server Finds Hate-Filled Message From Unidentified Diners

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Waiter Says He Was Stunned by the Message Left by Customers Guillermo Ortiz, who works at Planet Hollywood inside the...

Sunset Strip Staple Le Petit Four Shuts Down After Landlord Pulls the Plug

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

End of an Era: Le Petit Four Forced to Close in West Hollywood In a stunning reversal to the upbeat...

Metro LA Pushes Back Sepulveda Transit Community Meetings

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Environmental Review Delay Prompts Metro to Reschedule  Metro announced that community meetings scheduled for early April to discuss the Sepulveda...

WeHo Unveils ‘WeHappy Wednesdays’ to Support Shops and Restaurants

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

New West Hollywood Plan Makes Midweek Outings Easier and Cheaper In a bid to boost foot traffic and economic recovery...

County Board Approves New Homeless Agency, Redirecting Millions from Existing System

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

With Billions on the Line, LA County Moves to Centralize Homeless Response Los Angeles County is making a dramatic shift...

Put the Phone Down: LAPD and CHP Targets Distracted Drivers in April Crackdown

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Hands-Free Law Violations Could Now Cost You More Than Just a Fine Throughout April, the Los Angeles Police Department will...

Kim Delaney, Partner Cleared After Weekend Arrest in Marina del Rey

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Emmy-Winning Actress and Partner James Morgan Released Kim Delaney, the Emmy-winning actress recognized for her roles in NYPD Blue and...

(Video) Spending an Afternoon at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Go To Pacpark.com For Tickets and More Information. Go To https://t.co/HneRcysYh5 For Tickets and More Information. #amusementpark #rides #rollercoaster #summer...

Matū Kai to Debut in Brentwood With Grass Fed Wagyu and Global Flair This Week

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Farm-To-Fork Beef, Wood-Fired Flavors, and Sustainability Meet on San Vicente The team behind Beverly Hills’ acclaimed steakhouse Matū will soon...