DirecTV and EchoStar filed suit against N.C. Dept. of Revenue cha...

DirecTV and EchoStar filed suit against N.C. Dept. of Revenue challenging state’s 5% sales tax on satellite customers but not cable customers. Suit, filed in N.C. Superior Court, Wake County, followed required 90-day period allowing Dept. to consider companies’ refund request. DirecTV and EchoStar challenged constitutionality of tax under Commerce Clause, which they said prohibited state taxes that discriminated against interstate commerce or were not fairly related to services provided to taxpayers.