 |
EP Tax Commission opposes state tax collection
Source:
evangelinetoday.com
- Dec 26, 2012
The Evangeline Parish Tax Commission again discussed a possible state takeover of local sales tax collections, during its monthly meeting on December 19.
The commissioners discussed the matter during their November meeting, after Mike Veillon, commission administrator, distributed photocopies of a newspaper article about steps being taken by the Tangipahoa Parish Police Jury to oppose state collection of local taxes.
A longer article, published in the Baton Rouge Advocate, distributed during this month’s tax commission meeting, stated the Helena Parish Police Jury also has passed a resolution opposing a state takeover of parish sales tax collections.
Veillon said, “No parish we are aware of wants the state to collect sales taxes,” instead of parish taxing authorities.
The Advocate article included claims by a state official that state collections of local taxes would be more efficient and that some businesses choose not to locate in Louisiana because the tax collection process is too complicated in this state.
A state official in the article asserted the state’s efficient motor vehicle collection process is an example of how local sales taxes would be more efficient if handled by the state.
However, the article quoted a Livingston Parish tax collection official as saying the high error rate of the state’s motor vehicle collections shows that local collections are more efficient.
The Evangeline Parish tax commissioners echoed those sentiments during its meeting Wednesday, as did Bernard LeBas, who attended the tax commission meeting.
LaBas said during the next legislative session, which begins April 8, the Louisiana Legislature plans to “revamp tax codes throughout the state,” adding, “A lot of tax issues will be brought up.”
He advised local organizations, including the tax commissions, sheriff’s association, police juries and others to get involved in opposing a state takeover of local sales tax collections. “There needs to be a grass-roots effort.”
READ MORE:
http://evangelinetoday.com/view/full_story/21224347/article-EP-Tax-Commission-opposes-state-tax-collection?instance=home_news_lead
Category: General Business
|
