A. “Gross income” means the value proceeding or accruing from the sale of tangible property or service, and receipts (including all sums earned or charged, whether received or not) by reason of the investment of capital in the business engaged in, including rentals, royalties, fees or other emoluments, however designated (excluding receipts or proceeds from the use or sale of real property or any interest therein, and proceeds from the sale of notes, bonds, mortgages, or other evidences of indebtedness, or stocks and the like) and without any deduction on account of the cost of the property sold, the cost of materials used, labor costs, interest or discount paid, or any expense whatsoever, and without any deduction on account of losses;

B. “Taxpayer” means any person liable to the license fee or tax imposed by this chapter;

C. “Tax year” or “taxable year” means the calendar year, or in lieu thereof, the taxpayer’s fiscal year when permission is obtained from the city clerk to use the same as the tax period.

D. “Business, telephone” means the business of providing access to a local telephone network, local network telephone switching service, toll service, cellular phone or coin telephone services, or the providing of telephonic, video, data, or similar communication or transmission for hire, via a local telephone network, toll line or channel, cable, microwave, or similar communication or transmission system. This includes interstate service, and includes toll service, originating from or received on telecommunications equipment or apparatus in this state if the charge for the service is billed to a person in this state. It further includes cooperative or farmer line telephone companies or associations operating an exchange. “Telephone business” does not include the providing of competitive telephone service, the providing of cable television service, nor the providing of broadcast services by radio or television stations. “Competitive telephone service” means the providing of telecommunications equipment or apparatus, or service related to that equipment or apparatus such as repair or maintenance service, if the equipment or apparatus is of a type which can be provided by persons that are not subject to regulation as telephone companies under Title 80 RCW and for which a separate charge is made. (Ord. 670 § 1, 1994; Ord. 129 § 2, 1970).