Six Outrageous Taxes
Essex & Associates:: www.essexinc.biz February 28, 2011
Greetings!
If you needed any more proof that our state, local and federal budget spending is out of control, here it is. In an effort to get out from under record deficits and support their spending habits, politicians from Seattle to New York and everywhere in between have cooked up some outrageous taxes.
Some of these taxes are already on the books, some are just up for debate, but all show you just how far politicians will go to put a little more of your money in their pockets.
Card Tax
Here's proof that some politicians are a few cards short of a full deck. Anyone who purchases a deck of cards in the state of Alabama must pay a "card tax" of 10 cents.
Nudity Tax
In Utah, any businesses where "nude or partially nude individuals perform any service" have to pay a 10% sales and use tax. This tax is applied to all revenue from admission fees as well as merchandise, food, drink and "services" sales.
Tanning Tax
As part of the controversial Patient Protections and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (better known as healthcare reform), there is now a 10% excise tax on using a tanning salon.
Candy Tax
Be careful what you eat in Kentucky or it can cost you. There is now a sales tax on any food classified as candy. But the definition of candy is controverisal — under Kentucky's definition, a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup is candy, but a Milky Way is not. Huh?
Crash Tax
In January, the New York City Fire Department proposed a new "crash tax." The proposal calls for a $500 fine for anyone in an accident requiring emergency response vehicles at the scene.
A New Kind of Death Tax
As of January 1, 2011 it costs money to die in Seattle. King County, which includes Seattle, has instituted a $50 fee for reporting a death to the Medical Examiner's Office. If you don't pay, you don't get the permission and paperwork needed in order to be buried.
With budget deficits reaching a crisis point, we think you'll see plenty of new and outrageous taxes coming your way. We should all pay our fair share, but make sure you're not paying one penny more! Take every tax deduction you're entitled.
Thanks to Ken Dolan for help with this article.
Wishing you many happy returns,
Wayne
Wayne T. Essex Ph.D.
Essex & Associates
Tax, Accounting, HR, Payroll
7501 Paragon Road
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