As tax plan hits a snag, amendment cuts new services down for sales taxes
Nov 18, 2024
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) -- Part of the governor’s tax reform plan has hit a snag and new changes are being offered to try and bring lawmakers around.
With the proposed tax cut to the individual income tax to a flat 3% rate that removes $1.3 billion from the state’s coffers, there are a few proposed changes to the sales tax to try and make up the difference.
The original proposal offered 41 additional services to be applied to the sales tax. However, a lot of lawmakers took issue with some of those services, stating that they were not a luxury and would be too complicated for small businesses to implement. A new amendment was proposed lowering that down to just 19 services being added that lawmakers will have to mull over before an official vote.
“The intent is to lower or do away with the personal income tax and the corporate tax too. This was a key component of widening the burden where it's not so much a burden on one individual,” said state Rep. Neil Riser, R-Columbia.
The governor and House leadership were working the crowd on Thursday to get enough people willing to vote for HB9 to increase those services. But the day ended without a vote and lawmakers leaving for the weekend. Now the amendments are the next try at getting it passed over to the Senate before time runs out on the special session.
See the 19 proposed services in the amendment that has not yet been adopted by the House.
Alarm systems, services.
Cable TV and satellite services.
Car wash/wax.
Computer software installation and repair.
Dating services and apps.
Information services.
Intrastate limo and van transport services.
Lodging services.
Photo finishing, film development.
Photographic studio services.
Embroidery and monogramming services.
Security, PI, protection, and armored car services.
Spa services.
Swimming pool cleaning and maintenance.
Tanning salons.
Tattoo parlors.
Taxicab and ride shares.
Travel services.
Delivery services.
Riser, who is carrying the bill, hopes this will make the bill more palatable for lawmakers to vote on.
“As I went through and got the 19 that we are enumerating now, those are the ones that seem to be, in my opinion, made the most of choice,” Riser said.
The reduction of services cuts the anticipated revenue from $500 million to about $130 million. There has to be another plan in place to fill the gap of the $1.3 billion loss from the income tax cut. Riser said there are a lot of talks on how to do that.
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“The amount we lower the personal income tax won't be as low and won't be as low for corporate [income tax]. We'll have to look at things like prescription drugs so we’re able to make the locals whole,” Riser said.
A slate of other bills for the tax package is expected to be amended on the Senate side, which also could influence how much of the revenue gap needs to be filled.
The amendment on the House floor is anticipated to be brought up on Tuesday, but it is still unclear if there are enough votes to make it out.
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As tax plan hits a snag, amendment cuts new services down for sales taxes
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