A sales tax bill recently filed in the Kansas House of Representatives could lead to a tax on Girl Scout cookies.
House Bill 2352, introduced by Rep. Richard Carlson, chairman of the House Taxation Committee, could repeal sales tax exemptions for veterans groups and other nonprofit organizations, including the Girl Scouts and 4-H programs.
According to an e-mail from the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Council, repeal of the sales tax exemption could lead to a loss of $247,000 for the organization in 2010, money the organization uses to support programs such as financial aid, outreach, summer camps and volunteer training.
Rep. Don Hill said the objective on the part of those who requested the bill is to take a comprehensive look at the state’s tax policy.
“As a practical matter, in terms of tax policy, the best tax is the lowest tax spread over the broadest possible base,” Hill said. “What we have in Kansas is a hodge-podge of policy where we’ve exempted one after another entity.”
The House this week passed a bill exempting Goodwill Industries, but Hill said there is a certain amount of unfairness built into current tax policy.
“The fairness issue has a couple of aspects,” he said, “one of which is why have the Girl Scouts been exempt for 12 years and Goodwill is just now getting their exemption. The other aspect is that in reality, depending upon the circumstances, the Girl Scouts are selling cookies and competing with the grocery stores and convenience stores or whomever that have to pay tax.”
Hill said the bill wouldn’t permanently repeal tax exemptions for the organizations.
“What it would do,” he said, “is sunset the exemptions that are on the books now, and then give a very clear set of guidelines as to how they could re-qualify, with the objective being a lot more clarity and uniformity on who gets exempt.”
Hill thinks there’s little chance the bill will be taken up.
“It may happen this summer over the interim, but it’s not going anywhere for the moment,” he said.
admireed (anonymous) says...
There are way too many exemptions. Who is going to pay off the court house bonds if we keep snipping and snipping? Girl Scout cookies, Reeble's cookies, Goodwill dresses, Stage dresses...why give one buyer a break and not another?
March 17, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Maybe they should have that considered this way back when they were building the fancy court house.
March 17, 2009 at 9:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
The Beatles - Taxman
One, two, three, four...
Hrmm!
One, two, (one, two, three, four!)
Let me tell you how it will be;
There's one for you, nineteen for me.
'Cause Im the taxman,
Yeah, Im the taxman.
Should five per cent appear too small,
Be thankful I don't take it all.
'Cause Im the taxman,
Yeah, Im the taxman.
(if you drive a car, car;) - Ill tax the street;
(if you try to sit, sit;) - Ill tax your seat;
(if you get too cold, cold;) - Ill tax the heat;
(if you take a walk, walk;) - I'll tax your feet.
Taxman!
'Cause Im the taxman,
Yeah, Im the taxman.
Don't ask me what I want it for, (ah-ah, mister Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more. (ah-ah, mister heath)
'Cause Im the taxman,
Yeah, Im the taxman.
Now my advice for those who die, (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes. (taxman)
'Cause Im the taxman,
Yeah, Im the taxman.
And you're working for no one but me.
Taxman!
March 17, 2009 at 10:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spuds4all (anonymous) says...
Fed-up Americans mobilize: More than 150 tea parties
http://taxdayteaparty.com
Wichita, Kan. – Wednesday, April 15, at 4:15 p.m. airport post office.
Overland Park, Kan. – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Johnston Community College
http://www.reteaparty.com/
http://newamericanteaparty.com/
http://www.worldnetdaily.com
Lose your property for growing food?
Some small farms and organic food growers could be placed under direct supervision of the federal government under new legislation making its way through Congress. How will you be affected?
Read the latest now on WND.com.
March 17, 2009 at 11:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )