Should Sales Tax Be Applied to Clothing?
In this week's Hot Topics conversation, we want to know how you feel about a bill that has been introduced in the State Legislature.
The Senate Tax Reform Committee began working on tax reform measures Wednesday, including one that would expand the sales tax base while lowering the overall rate. Under the proposal, clothing would be taxed as well. That proposal garnered debate, and here's some testimony on the proposal.
The committee did not take action on the plan.
Videos (1)
Videos
This week, the Senate Tax Reform Committee began working on measures, including one that would expand the sales tax base while lowering the overall rate by half a percent.
Under the bill, shoppers would pay sales tax on individual clothing items costing more than $200 dollars. The first $200 would be exempt.
The committee did not take action on the plan.
The proposal was introduced last week by Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka), Sen. Chris Eaton (DFL-Brooklyn Center) and Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope).
Watch committee testimony on the proposal in the attached video by MNSenateMedia.
Do you think this plan is a good idea? Why or why not? Tell us your opinion in the comments area below.
JoAnn
9:36 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
Sales tax on clothing is okay with me-- as long as it does not apply to used clothing sales.
Evelyn Marie
10:45 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
I think it is a terrible idea and would seriously affect Southdale and the Mall of America. People come from all over the world to buy clothes in Minnesota. Often women will buy 3,4 or more suits because of the wonderful prices without a Sales Tax. I have a customer that comes up every 3 months from Costa Rica just to shop and spends a thousand every time. I think to add a sales tax would just wipe out that wonderful draw to Minnesota.
Caitlin Burgess
11:12 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
As a retail worker in my former life, I have to say Evelyn is right about people traveling to Minnesota to take advantage of the no sales tax on clothing. Little known fact: Wedding dresses are considered clothing. I mean, I know it is a piece of clothing, but still seems funny. I worked at David's Bridal in high school and we had a ton of brides come from Canada to purchase tax free. Think of the average price of a wedding gown and what the sales tax revenue would be on that.
Caitlin Burgess
12:01 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Great comment on the Richfield Patch Facebook page from Rissa Pahl: "I feel if it is illegal to go without clothing, it should not be taxed."
Rachel Recknagel
1:05 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Are you telling me you can't clothe yourself for less than $200? I agree about not taxing used clothes and I like the cap. what I want to know is what is being done with the new tax revenue? if the choice is smaller teacher/student ratios or no tax on clothes, then bring on the clothes tax, but if we're building bridges to nowhere then forget it. Reform how taxes are spent alongside the quantity and method of taxation.
Rod Trocke
7:57 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Well they need to get the money from someplace to cover that 5million
so why not.
Jerry Schmidt
11:26 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
you elect liberal democrats and what do you get? taxes on taxes, of course it's all for the children,what a joke...