Sales Tax News - April 30, 2018

By Brian Greer on Mon, Apr 30, 2018 @ 08:55 AM

Topics: sales tax news

Oregon County Looks to Place Tax on Marijuana Sales

Voters in Clatsop County may soon have the option to place a sales tax on retail marijuana sales.  County Commissioners will hold their first meeting on Wednesday to hear the topic of imposing a 3 percent sales tax on marijuana sales.  The tax is estimated to generate $50,000 annually and will be applied to the three dispensaries that are outside city limits.  After hearings are finished, commissioners will then decide to place a potential ordinance on the November ballot.  If the tax is passed by voters, it will go into effect 30 days after the vote. 

Sales Tax Raised in Athens-Clarke County

As of April 1, sales tax in Athens-Clarke County (Georgia) increased from seven percent to eight percent.  The sales tax increase that was passed by voters in November 2017 will affect restaurant menu items and products purchased in stores.  The Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax will help improve public transportation, which includes transit vehicle expansion and replacement, bus stop and transfer facilities, and Airport CIP matching funds.  The tax will remain in effect for five consecutive years. 

Lafourche Parish Officials Seek to Reinstate Garbage Sales Tax

Officials in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana are seeking to reinstate a one-cent sales tax for garbage collection in the parish.  The original sales tax was passed by voters in 1986, but the tax was reduced to .07 cents on the dollar in 1996.  Parish residents have since saved more than $60 million, but the parish now faces budget issues due to an oil bust that has lasted three years.  Officials said they have used more than $2 million from the BP oil spill recovery money to cover the garbage collection deficit.  If the bill is approved by the Legislature, the council will get the final vote before placing it on a future ballot.
Brian Greer

Written by Brian Greer