House Republicans are discussing bringing legislation to the chamber on Thursday that would put the state’s 4 percent sales tax back on groceries.
They argue that the legislation would be “revenue neutral” for Georgians who file income tax returns because it would give them a credit to make up for paying grocery taxes.
The idea is to raise badly needed revenue for the state by forcing out-of-state shoppers and Georgians who don’t file income tax returns to pay more sales taxes.
Supporters say it could raise $250 million or more a year.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Chuck Sims (R-Ambrose), has filed bills the past few years putting the sales tax back on groceries. The state portion of the sales tax was removed from most groceries during the late 1990s. Doing so was long a pet project of then-Gov. Zell MIller.
Under the Sims bill that passed the House Ways and Means Committee last week, Georgia residents who file income tax returns would be able to deduct either the taxes they paid on groceries, documented with receipts, or get a credit based on the number of dependents in their family.
It’s unclear whether the proposal will make it to the House floor, or if it has a chance of passing.
But Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), said, “Any time you shift the tax burden from Georgia residents to non-Georgia residents, it sounds like a good idea.”
Labels: 4 percent sales tax, Georgia, grocery sales tax, republicans
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 3:12 PM
