Why no tax for service providers?
Like Jerome Chroman [“Support temporary business tax surcharge,” Northwest Voices, April 10], I also support the temporary increase in the business-and-occupation tax from 1.5 percent to 1.8 percent and doubling the small-business tax credit —which could make it a nonissue for businesses that gross under a certain amount —and for taxing nonessentials such as candy, soda pop, water, gum and beer to support essential services for those less well off.
I am glad the state Senate passed this bill on Monday and it is heading to Gov. Chris Gregoire for her signature.
However, I would go one step further and urge our lawmakers to ask why our sales tax does not apply to Washington state service providers such as myself. Like my contractor clients, I add value to my clients’ small businesses or home finances. Why should my services be excluded?
If you need my services or those of an accountant, attorney or other service provider, you could pay your fair share of taxes.
— Keith Gormezano, Seattle
‘Temporary’ means ‘keep forever’
In response to Jerome Chroman’s comment to supporting a temporary tax to fix a deficit caused by bad fiscal planning, temporary in this state is nonsense.
I have lived in this state for the better part of my life and when the politicians say “temporary,” temporary really means “keep forever.” When this state needs to get money they go after the sinners —those who smoke, drink, chew gum, drink water, etc. You see, these people are the easy targets. Politicians do not go after all the citizens who should be paying their fair share of taxes.
First of all, this deficit was not brought about by the taxpayers. The problem with this state is it is too ultraconservative in its thinking. When we had a chance to legalize gambling, which could have brought in a lot of revenue, the conservatives shot it down. When a state income tax is brought up, it is shot down.
But if the state needs revenue, lets tax the sinners. When the small business start to lose revenue, think of that temporary tax.
This is how the 520 bridge and the Alaskan Way Viaduct will get its funding.
— Gary Todd, Duvall