An Emporia resident buying a bottle of vodka pays fewer taxes at the cash register than a resident buying a gallon of milk at the supermarket.
That’s because in Emporia and many other cities in Kansas, sales tax now exceeds a special liquor tax customers are charged.
Liquor stores don’t charge any local or state sales tax. Instead, they charge a liquor enforcement tax. The tax has been 8 percent across the state since 1983.
The sales tax in Emporia is 8.8 percent. Emporia residents pay 6.3 percent in state sales taxes and 2.5 percent in local taxes. The state sales tax increased 1 percent on July 1.
Though customers might not have noticed the tax difference, the discrepancy in tax rates has brought up discussion about whether people buying booze should receive a slight tax break.
A person buying $100 worth of booze would pay $108.00. The same person buying $100 worth of clothes would pay $108.80. The difference may be slight but the principal of paying more tax on clothes than liquor has ruffled some feathers around the state.
Local liquor store owners and managers said the tax rate hasn’t been a topic of discussion with customers, but raising it would draw some criticism.
Bob Rumold, owner of Old Rum’s Liquor, said customers would notice if the liquor enforcement tax was raised to 8.8 percent or higher. He said beer prices routinely increase anyway because distributors charge more. Any further increase would likely draw complaints.
“An increase would make a difference,” he said.
Bobby Hale, manager of Ozzy’s Get N Go, said although the assumption may be alcohol is a product people will buy no matter the cost, in reality people cut back if prices get too high.
Hale said a change in the liquor enforcement tax may have an effect on how much or how often customers buy alcohol. But it would depend on how much of an increase it was, he said.
Customers buying 3.2 beer from grocery and convenience stores pay the regular sales tax of 8.8 percent. Only liquor stores charge the 8 percent liquor enforcement tax.
It would be up to state legislature to change the liquor enforcement tax amount.
Rep. Don Hill, R-Emporia, said he hasn’t studied the issue in detail. His initial reaction was the tax should be left alone. He hasn’t heard anyone clamoring for a change.
State Sen. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, did not return phone messages for an interview request.
This past legislative session a senate committee did consider a bill to increase taxes on beer, wine and liquor but it died in committee.
The bill wouldn’t have changed the liquor enforcement tax, but it would have doubled many of the taxes imposed on the manufacturer, use, sale, storing or purchase of alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverages. The bill was criticized by liquor store owners and the hospitality industry.
sail (anonymous) says...
I could buy my liquor in mo. to save taxs, I could move to fl to not have state income taxs , I could move to tx to avoid high sales taxs and high property taxs.These are all reasons that ea of us ask when we decide where to retire. Hope our elected officials take this into consideration too, or will they just move to south tx when they retire.
August 31, 2010 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Good point,sail. We have a lot of snowbirds that DO "reside" in Texas.And they vote there,too.Those people have have children(like me) that may make that choice.I haven't yet because this is home.I've noticed a cluster of nicer homes for sale,I'd say because of owner age and retirement.After the economy fallout that may be coming after the first of the year,I may really consider relocating.
August 31, 2010 at 12:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TexasGirl (anonymous) says...
I have lots of family in Texas, and though the opportunity hasn't presented itself to relocate, I would do it in a heartbeat if the Good Lord opened that door. They have no sales tax on food, no state income tax, and no personal property tax.
August 31, 2010 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
The moto " Shop Emporia First " only makes sense if you could " Buy Cheaper " in Emporia, but at times you can' t.
For example, we needed to replace the water filter in our refrigerator. The cost in Emporia was between $40 and $55. I jumped online and found the same exact filter for $34.45, and the shipping was free and I had the thing in 2 days.
So, even though I was born and raised in Emporia, even I do not " Shop Emporia First " and I am not ashamed of " Shopping Elsewhere " if it will save me some money. And the way taxes are going, I will need to save every penney and nickel that I can, so I will be able to pay the " Tax Man " and the Zimm's salary .
August 31, 2010 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Another case of apples to oranges.
The 8% enforcement tax is just that. It all goes to ABC for enforcement of liquor laws. None of it goes to the state general fund or is rebated to cities or counties.
HEY DUMMIES !
The liquor tax is not too low.
THE SALES TAX IS TOO HIGH !
August 31, 2010 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
ALSO, from another thread i posted this morning.
Hey create and methusla, and whoever else. I was trying to do some figuring on the upcoming tax bill we will all be receiving soon. If I am correct with the school board, rec center, and county mill-levy increases,
the TOTAL INCREASE in mill-levy will be 10.364.
Add that to the 2009 mil-levy of 148.020 and you get a levy of 158.384.
If I take that figure and apply it to my ASSESSED value, my taxes on my home will go up $260.16 this year.
Sure seems like a lot to me considering our sales taxes are keeping property taxes down. I must be figuring something the wrong way.
August 31, 2010 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
It's like they think in backward circles around here.
Steve, I wish they had a "like" feature on here like they do on Facebook. I've wanted to "like" many comments of yours lately to say my two cents' is in line w/yours. Above is a another example. I think I'll just start typing "Like" @ Steve's 2:47 or something.
August 31, 2010 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
irishemporia (anonymous) says...
Imagine what your property tax might be if we didn't have the sales tax...
August 31, 2010 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Imagine what your property tax might be if spending were controlled and needs were put before wants.
August 31, 2010 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TexasGirl (anonymous) says...
Methusla, I'm right there with you on the "buy cheaper" thought. We are doing a major gut & remodel of a 1900 house (the Terry house for those of you who are familiar with it). While we have done quite a bit of our shopping here in town, we also make frequent trips to the Depot and Lowes in Topeka, because we have found that even figuring in the cost of turnpike fees and gasoline, it is still cheaper to buy up there.
So to you die-hard "Shop Emporia First" proponents, I say, "MAKE ME WANT TO!"
August 31, 2010 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Yeah I can imagine what my taxes would be if the city would cut spending
August 31, 2010 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Irishemporia,
What difference does it make, it's still a tax.
How many people owning homes in Emporia do you think pay property taxes to their mortgage holder in escrow?
How many even notice if their monthly payment goes up $20.00 a month? if they notice do they blame their bank, or the taxing body?
If my home was paid off in full, I would still have to pay $500.00 a month just for taxes and insurance. Not to mention maintenance and utilities, food and clothing, medicines and car tags and insurance. mine would be on the market right now if the market didn't suck so bad.
Imagine who would have been voted out of office if we didn't have the sales tax and our elected officials had raised the tax before.
So a question to you Irish;
How much?
How much is enough?
Give us a ballpark figure on what percentage of your income are YOU willing to pay
August 31, 2010 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
You got it, Steve. There's no reason to increase the liqour tax just because the sales tax is higher.
'enry
August 31, 2010 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
well, I kinda figured henry would agree with me on this one thing. but get ready henry, the state is going to raise the gallonage tax so our prices will go up, even if the enforcement tax stays the same.
August 31, 2010 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
JEREMY SHAPIRO,
Your reporting stated that the tax rate has "ruffled some feathers around the state."
Can you report whose feathers?
August 31, 2010 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Try this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmgaTP...
August 31, 2010 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Texas girl, Great post! I am another one of those people who often buys online. I have found the things I need, and even with shipping costs, it's less expensive. I like what you said, "So to you die-hard "Shop Emporia First" proponents, I say, "MAKE ME WANT TO!"
Recently, I bought new blinds for my old Victorian. No shipping charge because I bought on a "no shipping special." This house has such long windows. First of all, no one, not even Wal Mart carries the length I need around here. Sutherland's used to cut to order but not anymore. They were rude when I asked.
Like Methusla, I buy my refrigerator water filters online and it's less than what I can pay around here and there is no shipping. Works for me!
Hey Steve, thanks for ruining my day. I used your 10.364 figure and found that my taxes would go up $183.00. Of course I haven't seen what these new windows and gutters are going to cost me. Dang! You can't win.
One of these days, there is going to be a giant exodus from this place, all because of taxes.
August 31, 2010 at 4:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Raise my beer tax? I got two words...Mister Beer! ha ha ha http://www.mrbeer.com/
August 31, 2010 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marko (anonymous) says...
It is just a ploy to get us to all switch from Milk to booze..
August 31, 2010 at 6:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
steve, most times we don't see eye to eye but you couldn't be more right here!
August 31, 2010 at 6:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Maximus (anonymous) says...
That does it. I'm buying booze instead of clothes!
August 31, 2010 at 10:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Maximus (anonymous) says...
Foster Brooks! Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzAXb7...
August 31, 2010 at 10:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oops (anonymous) says...
So what if it ruffles feathers. Remember the states bright idea to raise sales tax, then they were baffled that revenues shrank because people were buying online or going out of state since it was cheaper?
I also agree about rolling on up the KTA to Topeka. Getting ready for a bathroom remodel and it will save us a boatload up there.
August 31, 2010 at 10:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
driveonby (anonymous) says...
Steve Corbin to replace Barnett!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 9, 2010 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
was that driveonby or " a driveby".
Thanks Sheila, but no thanks.
i upset too many people now.
No one would speak to me if I ran for office, besides I can't afford the paycut ;>)
September 9, 2010 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )