Michigan's Budget Calls for Tax on Services

[Michelle_Comer]

Granholm's Budget Plan Calls for Tax on Services

www.freep.com/article/201002111059/NEWS15/100211026

[psclaundry]

Does anyone know how Granholm plans to treat coin operated machines? No way to tack 5.5% on a washer. It's a quarter or nothing. No way I'm paying the tax out of my pocket.

[Howard]

Does anyone know how Granholm plans to treat coin operated machines? No way to tack 5.5% on a washer. It's a quarter or nothing. No way I'm paying the tax out of my pocket.


Typically the vend price would include the tax. Its your problem that you only accept quarters - not the state's -- well that is how they feel. Much like when you have a vending machine for soda, you have to submit sales tax even though you don't tack it on top of the vend price.

If you stick to your last statement, they will be coming to take you away ;)

[mjwalsh]

I have naturally & logically gone to great lengths with energy efficiency & reclaim at my facility over the years. I shudder to think that if our state would have taken money that was needed to go in the direction of helping our environment instead would have been squandered by our local, state or federal government. Worse yet ---- if they would be coming around now pretending to give away at much greater cost & in a much more limited way ----- money for that same purpose.

"They" also "win" because you will help them from going down the path of corruption.

[Adamski]

Fellow Michiganders,

I have composed a letter to my state representative stating my views on how the proposed State Services Sales Tax will adversely effect coin-operated laundry customers. I plan to ask that each and every one of my competitors join with me as co-signers of this letter.

If anyone would like a copy of my letter to use as a guide to composing his own letter, I'd be happy to provide it for that specific purpose only. I wouldn't want the thrust of my letter diluted by a sudden influx of exact copies arriving in Lansing about the same time.

If interested, simply email me at: laundromatman@comcast.net

[mmurra]

Here's my letter to my Michigan local newspaper, copied to the politicians:

To the editor,

The state budget crisis seems to be moving in the direction of raising taxes on Michigan residents through business tax increases. Instead of raising the existing taxing mechanisms of the sales and income taxes, a new tax is being proposed; a sales tax on services.

Several problems arise. First, a business ultimately, does not pay taxes. End users (taxpayers / consumers) pay all taxes. Businesses must always pass on all operating costs to the consumer by convincing the consumer to purchase the service with ALL costs included. All business taxes are passed on to the consumer. No exceptions. Either customers accept the higher prices or the business fails (as many have).

Ultimately, the government refuses to operate under the same rules as the rest of us (business and consumers), who must figure out how to survive in a horrible economy without the ability to take from others without their consent. The politicians must be convinced that they operate under the same reality as the rest of us; business and consumers.

When times are tight, each and every one of us finds creative ways to make ends meet, without initiating a new tax to supplement our income. Governments must learn to be as creative as the rest of us, to struggle with tough financial issues, as do the rest of us. Increasing taxes is not a viable option at this time. Please go back to the drawing board!

Mark Murray

[Adamski]

Mark,

Excellent letter. Let's hope it works.

[mmurra]

Thanks Larry. I sent it to the local paper and am in the process of sending it to my elected officials. Mark

[Adamski]

Michiganders,

Great news. Granholm decided to give up on her initiative to add a Sales Tax on services. We're out of the woods for this year. Is that more trees I see off in the distance ahead?