If the state's sales tax exemption on clothing (4%) attracts Canadian shoppers even more than they are now attracted, that's great and it will help hold down property taxes in NNY.
When the City of Watertown crows about its tax rate being stable, or when local towns trumpet their lack of a town tax on property, its largely because of the impact of Canadian shoppers who drive sales tax collections on the local level.
It truly is a case of visitors helping to pay for local government and this makes our area something of an anomaly.
So when the call comes to exempt clothing from the local share (3.75%) of the sales tax, that should be ignored.
If the county wants to drop the overall rate, that case can be made, but the case for exempting the one product that is attracting out of area dollars is short sighted.
If you want to help local folks, get rid of those gross receipt taxes on energy. That's one that solely hits NNY families.
Media barons and a couple of local pols will push for clothing exemption. Their call should be rejected.
Watertown Daily Times | Sales-tax break on clothing will drive up Canadian shopping in north country, retailers say
3 comments:
If the Canadian shoppers a boost to the economy and are helping hold down the taxes here, perhaps you could suggest to your friend and chronic Hotline contributer, the crazy guy, to stop bashing them.
If Patty Plate votes for this, I am going to vote against her.
This is an attack on property owners who pay too much in taxes in this state.
Here is a chance to get the tourists to kick in a litle for the roads and buildings and emergency serviecs they are coming over and using.
They don't even notice 3% but it makes a big impact on our revenues. To get rid of it is dumb dumb dumb.
If it was really about the poor then make an exemption for $15 for pants $5 for shirts and $50 for coats. But clothes are so cheap today it is not about the poor it is about buying votes. News flash...Canadians don't vote here!
So by your logic when the city's tax receipts increase due to the influx of Canadians buying clothes, your response will be to lower the city tax rate for us? Thanks Jeff I'll be looking forward to my lower taxes come next budget season.
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