Going to concerts, games and events in Columbus is about to get more expensive

It is going to soon be more expensive to attend many events, games and concerts in Columbus. 
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Columbus City Council enacted a 5 percent admission tax on most arts and cultural events in the city, Monday night, according to the Columbus Dispatch and other news organizations.

See exceptions to the tax below.

Council also approved a separate 5 percent tax on Nationwide Arena events, the newspaper reports.

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The money will be used to help pay for repairs and maintenance at the publicly-owned venue, the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Nationwide hosts a variety of national touring concerts, events, conventions, conferences and performances.

The taxes will go into effect July 1.

As part of the ordinance's explanation, city officials said the Admissions Tax for Facility Stabilization "would yield approximately $3 million per year in revenue."

Of that, $2.4 million, will be used for Nationwide Arena.

The remaining $600,000 would be disbursed by the Greater Columbus Arts Council to help Columbus arts organizations.

Officials estimate that the other 5 percent tax will generate about $6 million annually for Columbus’ Creation, Innovation and Inclusion fund.

According to the ordinance and media reports, funds will be used by the Greater Columbus Arts Council to distribute grants to artists, musicians and performers.

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The Columbus Dispatch list exceptions to that tax.

Those exemptions include events that cost less than $10; events and venues with fewer than 400 seats; events by Greater Columbus Arts Council supported organizations;  events by Ohio State University and other public and private education institutions and NCAA sponsored sporting events.

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