On June 12, 2009, Governor Baldacci signed LD 1495, “An Act To Implement Tax Relief and Tax Reform” into law, which NETSA opposed. While the title of the new law is exciting, the details are dismal and drastically impact Mainers by taxing services, including automotive repairs, maintenance and installations by an unprecedented 5%. Car repairs join a long list of services not previously taxed including repairs on jewelry, cameras, guns, musical instruments, electronic and mechanical equipment, lawn and garden equipment, office equipment and appliances.
In addition, this new tax will be levied on admissions to amusements, theaters, movies, concerts, historical sites (not run by the government), zoos, antique shows, car and boat shows, sight seeing attractions, amusements at fairs and just about anything else that was not previously taxed.
Imagine, in this economy, when so many Maine people are struggling to make ends meet, the legislature decides to tax auto repairs and maintenance! Imagine when Maine tourism is in desperate trouble we are taxing amusements and recreational activities and increasing the meals and lodging tax from 7% to 8.5%!
The politicians will tell you that in the end you will save money because they are lowering the Maine Income Tax from a high of 8.5% to a flat tax of 6.5% with tax credits depending on where your income tax bracket falls. The fact is that most Mainers will see less than a $300 income tax reduction at the end of the year, but will pay additional sales taxes all year long.
Interestingly enough, this new law doesn’t tax boat repairs, nor does it tax ski lift tickets. Somehow that doesn’t seem equitable, now does it?
Luckily there is a signature gathering campaign going throughout Maine to repeal this untimely tax. 56,000 signatures are necessary to put this on the June 2010 ballot. These signatures need to be submitted to the Secretary of State before September 11, 2009.
The initiative is called “Still Fed Up With Taxes”, which NETSA is a member, and you can help support them by sending a contribution ($100 would be great) to the address below.
Still Fed Up With Taxes
PO Box 24
Augusta, Maine 04333
Desperate times call for desperate measures and if the Augusta politicians are not hearing that times are desperate, then the citizens of Maine must act by repealing this tax attack!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
MA Right to Repair Letter to NETSA Members
The Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition is advocating for passage of Right to Repair legislation to guarantee repairers and consumers unrestricted access to independent automotive service, repairs and parts. The legislation would prohibit the current practice of automobile manufacturers restricting access to repair information utilized by independent repairers. The legislation would ensure complete access to diagnostic repair information to independent repairers and to the benefit of automobile consumers. Without complete repair information independent repairers will increasingly be forced to send consumers to new car repair facilities. Consumers should have a choice as to who does their car repairs. The Massachusetts Right to Repair legislation would ensure their right of choice is protected.
Monday, July 20, 2009
CT Governor Rell Veto's $3 Tire Tax along with Budget - See SB 1801
Here's Sec 99 of the Bill the Governor vetoed.
Connecticut S.B. No 1801 (June 09) $3 Tire Tax
Sec. 99. (NEW) (Effective from passage) There shall be paid to the Commissioner of Revenue Services by any retailer of tires commonly used on any motor vehicle a tire fee of three dollars on the sale at retail of any such tire. Any person engaged in the sale of such tires shall register with the commissioner on forms prescribed by the commissioner. Each retailer of such tires subject to the tire fee as provided by this section shall submit a return quarterly to the commissioner, applicable with respect to the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2009, and each calendar quarter thereafter, on or before the last day of the month immediately following the end of each such calendar quarter, on a form prescribed by the commissioner, together with payment of the quarterly fee determined and payable in accordance with the provisions of this section. Whenever such fee is not paid when due, a penalty of ten per cent of the amount due or fifty dollars, whichever is greater, shall be added to the amount due and such penalty shall immediately accrue, and thereafter such fee shall bear interest at the rate of one and one-fourth per cent per month or fraction thereof until the same is paid. The commissioner shall cause copies of a form prescribed for submitting returns as required under this section to be distributed throughout the state. Failure to receive such form shall not be construed to relieve anyone subject to the fee under this section from the obligations of submitting a return, together with payment of such fee within the time required. The provisions of sections 12-548 to 12-554, inclusive, and sections 12-555a and 12-555b of the general statutes shall apply to the provisions of this section in the same manner and with the same force and effect as if the language of said sections 12-548 to 12-554, inclusive, and sections 12-555a and 12-555b had been incorporated in full into this section and had expressly referred to the fee imposed under this section, except to the extent that any such provision is inconsistent with a provision of this section and except that the term "tax" shall be read as "tire fee". Any moneys received by the state pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the General Fund.
For ALL those in Connecticut, please contact your State House Reps and Senators to alert them to this unfair tax on tires that singles out our Industry and Consumers during these tough times. Look through the entire Budget Bill (1801) and see if you find any other such Tax directed at an Industry where the money collected would go to the "General Fund". Yes, it's been vetoed (thank you Gov. Rell), but a Budget has to be passed and the $3 tire tax may well be part of a new Bill presented for a vote, if you don't act now by calling and writing.
Connecticut S.B. No 1801 (June 09) $3 Tire Tax
Sec. 99. (NEW) (Effective from passage) There shall be paid to the Commissioner of Revenue Services by any retailer of tires commonly used on any motor vehicle a tire fee of three dollars on the sale at retail of any such tire. Any person engaged in the sale of such tires shall register with the commissioner on forms prescribed by the commissioner. Each retailer of such tires subject to the tire fee as provided by this section shall submit a return quarterly to the commissioner, applicable with respect to the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2009, and each calendar quarter thereafter, on or before the last day of the month immediately following the end of each such calendar quarter, on a form prescribed by the commissioner, together with payment of the quarterly fee determined and payable in accordance with the provisions of this section. Whenever such fee is not paid when due, a penalty of ten per cent of the amount due or fifty dollars, whichever is greater, shall be added to the amount due and such penalty shall immediately accrue, and thereafter such fee shall bear interest at the rate of one and one-fourth per cent per month or fraction thereof until the same is paid. The commissioner shall cause copies of a form prescribed for submitting returns as required under this section to be distributed throughout the state. Failure to receive such form shall not be construed to relieve anyone subject to the fee under this section from the obligations of submitting a return, together with payment of such fee within the time required. The provisions of sections 12-548 to 12-554, inclusive, and sections 12-555a and 12-555b of the general statutes shall apply to the provisions of this section in the same manner and with the same force and effect as if the language of said sections 12-548 to 12-554, inclusive, and sections 12-555a and 12-555b had been incorporated in full into this section and had expressly referred to the fee imposed under this section, except to the extent that any such provision is inconsistent with a provision of this section and except that the term "tax" shall be read as "tire fee". Any moneys received by the state pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the General Fund.
For ALL those in Connecticut, please contact your State House Reps and Senators to alert them to this unfair tax on tires that singles out our Industry and Consumers during these tough times. Look through the entire Budget Bill (1801) and see if you find any other such Tax directed at an Industry where the money collected would go to the "General Fund". Yes, it's been vetoed (thank you Gov. Rell), but a Budget has to be passed and the $3 tire tax may well be part of a new Bill presented for a vote, if you don't act now by calling and writing.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Tire Business article on NETSA 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees
The July 6, 2009 Issue of Tire Business has an article and picture of NETSA's 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees. Their website is www.tirebusiness.com
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
TIA Board of Directors Ballot
Tire Industry Association ballots are being accepted for the 2009 Board of Directors. Ex-President Jim Melvin is on the ballot. All ballots nust be received by September 1, 2009
For more information go to http://www.tireindustry.org/
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Golf Tournament Date Change
Important! The date for the 2009 NETSA Scholarship Golf Tournament has been changed. The new date is Thursday, September 17th 2009.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Scholarship Golf Tournament
Friday, September 18, 2009 - Blackstone National Golf Club, Sutton MA - All proceeds benefit the NETSA Scholarship Fund - Click here for more information
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