States In A Taxing Frenzy
Gimme gimme gimme
"Some states have already slapped taxes on blueberries, illegal drugs and fur clothing. But as budget shortfalls grow, state legislators are looking for even more creative ways to earn revenue.
Your next trip to the barber could trim a little more than usual from your paycheck, depending on where you live.
In an attempt to balance their budgets, states like Michigan and Nebraska are considering making you take a haircut, by extending the
state sales tax to include personal grooming services.
Lawmakers in Maine are going after children's entertainment to make a little extra money for the state.
A bill proposing a 5% state tax on a slew of things, including comedians, clowns, jugglers, ventriloquists, petting zoos, paintball and even haunted hay rides will be voted on this summer and would go into effect in January 2011.
While you fly high, your bank balance may deflate with a new tax on already-pricy hot air balloon rides. At least in Kentucky.
The southern state is looking to raise $350 to $400 million a year by taxing high-end services such as limousine and hot air balloon rides, golf green fees, private landscaping, armored car services and professional laundry services.
A tax on pet grooming and horse training accompany a long list of other odd levies lawmakers in Michigan have proposed to bridge the state's budget deficit.
But it's not just the cost of keeping pets that's on Michigan's radar. Plumbing, fur storage, beauty parlors, funeral services, diaper services, massages, bowling, coin-operated video games, meat slaughtering, movie tickets, zoos and pest control are also on the state's hit list.
Missouri's long-standing tax on yoga has come under fire in recent months after the state decided to re-enforce the levy despite opposition to a tax on what many yoga enthusiasts view as a spiritual practice.
Yoga is currently classified as a recreational service in Missouri and is taxed along with athletic events like Cardinal games and fitness club memberships.
Searching for your soul mate? Don't go to Nebraska to find a date -- the state might charge you for it.
Earlier this year, Nebraska was considering a tax on about 60 services not currently subject to the state's sales tax, hoping to raise more than $44 billion by 2011.
In addition to a tax on the use of dating services, a whole slew of other odd services were in the running, including scooter and motorcycle repairs, shoe shines, reflexology, massages, tree trimming, taxidermy, fur storage, detective services, garment alterations, dance studios and armored car services. Getting your gun or camera repaired would have also cost you an extra few bucks."
"Some states have already slapped taxes on blueberries, illegal drugs and fur clothing. But as budget shortfalls grow, state legislators are looking for even more creative ways to earn revenue.
Your next trip to the barber could trim a little more than usual from your paycheck, depending on where you live.
In an attempt to balance their budgets, states like Michigan and Nebraska are considering making you take a haircut, by extending the
state sales tax to include personal grooming services.
Lawmakers in Maine are going after children's entertainment to make a little extra money for the state.
A bill proposing a 5% state tax on a slew of things, including comedians, clowns, jugglers, ventriloquists, petting zoos, paintball and even haunted hay rides will be voted on this summer and would go into effect in January 2011.
While you fly high, your bank balance may deflate with a new tax on already-pricy hot air balloon rides. At least in Kentucky.
The southern state is looking to raise $350 to $400 million a year by taxing high-end services such as limousine and hot air balloon rides, golf green fees, private landscaping, armored car services and professional laundry services.
A tax on pet grooming and horse training accompany a long list of other odd levies lawmakers in Michigan have proposed to bridge the state's budget deficit.
But it's not just the cost of keeping pets that's on Michigan's radar. Plumbing, fur storage, beauty parlors, funeral services, diaper services, massages, bowling, coin-operated video games, meat slaughtering, movie tickets, zoos and pest control are also on the state's hit list.
Missouri's long-standing tax on yoga has come under fire in recent months after the state decided to re-enforce the levy despite opposition to a tax on what many yoga enthusiasts view as a spiritual practice.
Yoga is currently classified as a recreational service in Missouri and is taxed along with athletic events like Cardinal games and fitness club memberships.
Searching for your soul mate? Don't go to Nebraska to find a date -- the state might charge you for it.
Earlier this year, Nebraska was considering a tax on about 60 services not currently subject to the state's sales tax, hoping to raise more than $44 billion by 2011.
In addition to a tax on the use of dating services, a whole slew of other odd services were in the running, including scooter and motorcycle repairs, shoe shines, reflexology, massages, tree trimming, taxidermy, fur storage, detective services, garment alterations, dance studios and armored car services. Getting your gun or camera repaired would have also cost you an extra few bucks."
posted by nolocontendere at 7:13 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home