The annual tax was levied on 2016 revenue for the privilege of providing electricity in the state.  The privilege taxes collected by the state include $820,000 for the state school fund, $250,000 to the state general fund.  In addition, $1.37 million is divided between Benton County, and the cities of Kennewick, Prosser, Benton City, and Richland. 
 
In addition to the privilege tax, Benton PUD paid the following taxes in 2016: $5.45 million to the state for the public utility tax; municipal utility taxes of $4.89 million to the City of Kennewick, $414,000 to the City of Prosser, $123,000 to the City of Benton City, $24,000 to the City of Richland, and other excise taxes of $65,000 to the State.