Massachusetts Appeals Court Rules Skechers Qualifies as Manufacturing Firm for Tax Purposes

In Boston, the state’s appellate court affirmed the tax board’s classification of Skechers as a manufacturer, rejecting the company’s claim that it primarily focuses on design and marketing. The judges noted that Skechers’ operations go well beyond mere concept creation. The ruling means the company must continue paying the corporate excise tax applied to manufacturers. The decision underscores the court’s willingness to look at the full scope of a business’s activities when determining tax status.