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KANSAN.COM
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New tax package ups sales tax on food, legislators dub it a failure
KELLY CORDINGLEY @KellyCordingley
The largest tax hike in Kansas history is set to go into effect Wednesday, raising sales tax from 6.15 percent to 6.55 percent. The legislature decided on a tax plan to fund the budget on day 113 — 23 days past the end of regular session.
Sen. David Haley (D-Kansas City) said all the tax hikes, including those on food, will hurt working Kansans.
"Make no mistake, this recent legislation increases the tax liability for average and lower-income Kansans, while continuing to reduce if not eliminate tax liabilities for wealthiest
He said Gov. Sam Brownback and many conservative legislators intended to burden the poor most.
Kansans and corporations," Haley said.
"It's to shift the cost of government from the wealthy to the poor," he said.
Rep. Barbara Bollier (R-Mission Hills) said the governor's statement that the tax plan "continues our transition from taxes on productivity to consumption-based taxes and provides a mechanism for reducing income tax rates for all our citizens" is misleading because while there is less tax money coming into the
During the economic crisis in 2010, Kansas and other states raised sales tax, but Bollier said the hike was unnecessary this time around.
state, it's because businesses and the upper-economic group pay little to no tax.
"It's very unfortunate because it puts a higher burden on the poor," she said. "Now, the governor can say they're not paying income tax, but we researched it, and they're paying more in food and sales tax. We don't have a crisis now that everyone else had; we have a self-induced one."
Haley referred to the tax plan as "the Robin Hood effect."
pay period when you're wondering why you're shortchanged."
One major sticking point Bollier said wasn't addressed was the elimination of income tax, something she said is poor policy.
"The number one thing for me is that it didn't address the long term failing of this plan, the plan being to eliminate income tax," Bollier said. "It continues down a policy road that in my opinion won't be appropriate for our state."
She said she doesn't believe the majority of Kansans and Kansas businesses are in favor of this plan.
legislature spent too much time on issues that were less significant than passing the budget and tax plan.
ATTENTION CURRENT AND FORMER RESTAURANT Servers and Bartenders
"It's bad policy, even the businesses admit it, they're willing to pay some tax," she said. "I still can't figure it out. The majority of the state doesn't want this plan. It was bullied forward."
With this session being the longest in Kansas history, Haley said the
"Their priorities were on issues that were less important than finding revenue to offset the governor's Robin-Hood-in-reverse failed experiment," Haley said.
Rep. Craig McPherson (R-Overland Park),
Rep. Pegg Mast (R-Emporia), Rep. Leslie Osterman (R-Wichita) and Rep. John Whitmer (R-Wichita) could not be reached for comment.
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If you have worked as a "Tipped Employee" for a restaurant, you could be owed unpaid minimum wages, plus additional damages, if:
- Cararette tax will increase by 50 cents a pack
- E-cigarettes will now be taxed at 20 cents per milliliter
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"Gov. Brownback and the legislators that passed the largest tax increase in Kansas history are similar to pickpockets," he said. "You don't realize you're getting stolen from until the thief is gone. It's something you don't notice until the end of the
- Your wages and tips, taken together, amounted to less than $7.25 per hour during any work week(s);
- You were required to share tips with the restaurant itself, managers, or "back room" employees (cooks, dishwashers, expeditors, etc.).
- Sales tax will increase to 6.55 percent from 6.15 percent
- You were paid "tipped rate" wages below $7.25 per hour for work when the restaurant was not open to customers;
- You were paid "tipped rate" wages below $7.25 per hour and spent more than 20 percent of your work time during any week(s) performing work that did not produce tips (cooking, cleaning, food prep, rolling silverware, etc.) or
Takeaways of the Tax Plan:
Call to Learn Your Rights!
- Note at-risk students will be eligible for scholarships to K-12 private schools
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- The Department of Revenue will waive penalties for many delinquent taxpayers.
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- Many itemized personal income tax deductions will be eliminated
Call for appointment 785-856-7136
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