Taxes on steam baths: will you stand for it?

November 1, 2007

The services which are proposed additions to the sales tax are on file in the Governor’s bills in the House and Senate, and some Marylanders disagree with the selections.

They are:
-Real property management service
-Tanning, massage, physical fitness, sauna, or steam bath facility

The AP reports that real estate agents and health club owners rallied Thursday against the bills.

Real estate agents argue that the tax shouldn’t be applied to them, because housing is a basic commodity like food … Opponents of broadening the sales tax to include fitness clubs followed the real estate agents with a State House protest. They chanted “no health tax,” and asked why O’Malley wanted to tax people who want a place to exercise.

It’ll be interesting to see who else comes out of the woodwork when hearings begin on the pair of competing House bills.

House Bill 18 puts forth tattoo artists and body piercers as potential tax revenue. House Bill 11 would add a laundry list of services, including pay-per-view TV, car washes, escort services and cobblers.

What do you think should be on the list?

-JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor

Sphere: Related Content

Posted by Jackie Sauter | Filed Under taxes 

Comments

Got something to say?





  • Law

  • Business

  • Archives

  • Visit Eye on Annapolis

    Check out our blog on the legislative session, Eye on Annapolis.

  • Categories

Business

The business staff of The Daily Record newspaper will contribute to this section. We'll write about topics ranging from the workplace to energy to the environment, but we'll strive to keep it as local as possible.

Eye on Annapolis

Visit our sister blog, Eye on Annapolis, produced by Reporter Andy Rosen. Or, follow Andy on Twitter: TDRAndy.

RSS Business posts

Law

The Daily Record’s been Maryland’s legal newspaper for 120 years or so. Now, we want to be Maryland’s legal blog, too. Click here to join the discussion and read posts by our legal team, including our Monday law blog round-up.

RSS Law posts

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

  • JessieX: Duh.
  • david halbritter: another halbritter served west virginia from wheeling unit so guess that makes me a yankee darnit ....
  • Gerald Conrad: While I cannot agree with the trial lawyers’ reasoning, I do agree the American Tort Reform...
  • Kathy: Closed on 50 Silo Point units ??? Check the SDAT tax records, only 1 unit has changed hands so far....
  • Anonymous: As both a lawyer and a client (since I’m in-house), $92,000 for a new attorney is ridiculous. I...

On Commenting

We ask that our readers follow a few guidelines, noted below.

Please do not post any personal attacks, profanity, spam or other advertisements — they will be removed. Also, please post using only one name or pseudonym, as this consistency helps establish a sense of community. We will delete posts if they are signed with different names but originate from the same IP or email address. And if you’re going to comment using a proper name, please make it your own. Deliberate misrepresentations will be removed.