Tuesday’s election results brought relief to Washington consumers and a hard fought victory for Washington confectioners. The citizens of Washington overturned a food and beverage tax that would have cost consumers nearly $300 million over the next three years. This was achieved through the work of a coalition of consumers, retailers and food and beverage…
PPMCSA Opposes Fuel Tax Amendment
While Pennsylvania’s businesses and consumers are struggling through the worst economic downturn in a generation, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives last week adopted an amendment that would impose a new, hidden fuel tax on businesses that sell-and consumers who rely on-biodiesel fuel. John Kulik, executive vice president of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store…
Tax Planning and the IRS
It is no secret that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audits relatively few tax returns. In fact, each year the IRS publishes the figures. The IRS’s own data reveals that slightly more than 1% of all tax returns filed were audited. The audit figures for the almost 10 million business returns filed in fiscal 2009,…
Sweetening Cigar Sales
Small filtered cigarellos represent a real albeit temporary opportunity for convenience stores to rack up sales, so get going before the window of opportunity slams shut. These diminutive cigars have gained strong appeal among smokers laboring to afford cigarettes in the wake of multiple tobacco tax hikes. The price differential between filtered cigars and cigarettes…
Understanding the new Healthcare System
Healthcare Reform: Key Takeaways In 2014, convenience store businesses employing more than 50 workers will be required to provide health coverage and most people will be required to have health insurance. The tax on high-cost “Cadillac” policies will not go into effect until 2018; the increase in Medicare payroll taxes begins in 2013; while the…
Could A Value-Added Tax Be Next?
President Barack Obama in an interview with CNBC Wednesday noted the possibility of a new value-added tax (VAT) is still on the table, although White House spokesmen insist it’s no longer being considered, the Associated Press reported. A VAT is normal in many European countries, which tax the value added at each stage of production…