Political Messaging Vendor Pays $1 Million to Settle D.C. Tax Claims

June 2, 2026

Following a whistleblower complaint, Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced that GetThru, a company providing peer-to-peer messaging and calling technology to political campaigns and advocacy groups, has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations of unpaid sales taxes. The investigation revealed that the company allegedly failed to collect and remit taxes on data processing services sold to D.C.-based customers over approximately a decade, from 2016 through May 2026. The settlement requires GetThru to begin complying with D.C. tax collection requirements going forward, though the company has not admitted liability.

Who is affected

Toskr, Inc. (doing business as GetThru)
District of Columbia government and taxpayers
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb and the Office of the Attorney General
The whistleblower who filed the original complaint
Political campaigns, advocacy organizations, labor groups, and nonprofits that use GetThru's services in D.C.
GetThru's competitors who have been complying with tax laws

What action is being taken

GetThru is paying $1 million to the District of Columbia
GetThru must begin collecting and remitting D.C. sales taxes on taxable services sold to customers in the District

Why it matters

This case is significant because it ensures that companies conducting business in D.C. fulfill their legal tax obligations, which fund essential public services for residents. The settlement reinforces tax compliance and prevents businesses from gaining unfair competitive advantages over law-abiding competitors by avoiding taxes. Additionally, the case demonstrates the effectiveness of D.C.'s expanded False Claims Act as a tool for tax enforcement, empowering whistleblowers to help the government recover unpaid taxes and hold companies accountable for their obligations to the community.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer