Friday, September 05, 2008

News Links

Board of Equalization Announces Enhanced Compliance Effort
More than 8,000 businesses in seven different zip codes throughout the state are being notified this week of impending visits from Board of Equalization (BOE) specialists who will be canvassing the areas to ensure the businesses are properly registered and paying taxes.

Simpler sales tax sought
Short article about the streamlined sales tax project.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

News Links

What's behind shortfall in state's taxes? Try smuggling
Discussing the impact of Maryland's proximity to Delaware and lost sales / use tax revenue. I've never really thought of it as smuggling, but that's pretty much what it is.

Retailers could get county tax

It's the old story. Politicians pass higher county sales tax. Business crashes because customers go across the line to another county to buy stuff at a lower rate. Businesses start moving across the line to catch up with their customers. Politicians panic because businesses are leaving (along with the tax revenue). Politicians offer to "rebate" some taxes. Politicians. Ya gotta love 'em.