The public is invited to attend a presentation by Tennesseans for Fair Taxation at the King Family Library on November 3 at 7:00 pm.
The mission of Tennesseans for Fair Taxation is to create a more fair and progressive tax structure that ensures adequate revenues for the benefit of all Tennesseans. At the core of the organization’s work is a commitment to fairness, adequacy and a common sense approach to funding state services.
Tennessee currently has the highest sales tax rate in the nation. Tennesseans for Fair Taxation is working to change the state’s tax structure through education, coalition building and grassroots organizing among diverse groups and individuals. Tennesseans for Fair Taxation has achieved major goals, including leveling the playing field for Tennessee businesses by lobbying state legislators to require internet retail giant Amazon.com collect the same state sales from Tennessee residents as other businesses in the state, projected to generate at least $35 million in revenue for the state annually. Amazon.com has distribution centers within the state and earlier this month entered into an agreement to start collecting sales tax January 1 of 2014, if Congress does not address the issue of online sales taxes before then.
Tennessee law requires residents themselves report and pay state sales tax on internet or out of state purchases, called a use tax, but it is the “honor system” and very few people do so.
The organization also believes food is a necessity that should not be subject to sales tax because groceries represent a much bigger portion of low-income families’ budgets while representing only a small fraction of most high-income families’ budgets.
“Long term, Tennessee needs to consider comprehensive tax restructuring, including full repeal of the food tax, reduction of the sales tax, closing corporate tax loopholes, and establishing a progressive state income tax,” Tennesseans for Fair Taxation’s website says.
Find out more about Tennesseans for Fair Taxation Thursday, November 3 at 7:00 pm in the King Family Library. A representative from the organization will give a 45-minute presentation followed by a question and answer session.
“Taxes affect everyone,” said Mike Fitzgibbons, Chairman of the Sevier County Democrats, who invited the organization to speak. “We want to open a discussion about this in Sevier County and it is logical to invite an influential organization who wants to reform the tax structure of this state.”
