sales tax

In this morning's headlines: film incentives, tax credits for students loans, online sales tax

Emily Fox — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:01:28 +0000

Senate votes to keep film incentive money

"Michigan’s film industry wouldn’t lose a dime of the $50 million currently set aside for state incentives under a proposal in the Legislature. The state Senate voted to reject Governor Rick Snyder’s plan to cut the incentives in half," Jake Neher reports.

Proposed bill would give tax credits for student loans

"State tax credits could be given for student loan payments if a new bill in Lansing becomes law. The tax credit would equal half of a student's annual loan payments, if the graduate stays in Michigan," Chris Zollars reports.

Bill would make Michigan online retailers charge sales tax

"Michigan lawmakers are looking at how to get online retailers to collect state sales taxes. Currently, shoppers are supposed to report any sales taxes they owe on online purchases, and pay them with their income tax, but most people don’t. A proposed bill at the state capitol would put the responsibility on the online retailer," Steve Carmody reports.

Michigan lawmakers look for ways of closing the online sales tax loophole

Steve Carmody — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:01:16 +0000

Michigan lawmakers are looking at how to get online retailers to collect state sales taxes.

Currently, shoppers are supposed to report any sales taxes they owe on online purchases, and pay them with their income tax.

But most people don’t.

State Representative Eileen Kowall’s bill would put the responsibility on the online retailer. She’s quick to say this is not a tax increase, just making sure that the taxes that are owed are being paid.

The week in Michigan politics

Jack Lessenberry, Christina Shockley and Emily Fox — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:49:21 +0000

This week in Michigan politics, Christina Shockley and Jack Lessenberry discuss the idea of increasing sales taxes on services to help fund road improvements in the state, how sequestration could affect Michigan, and why a Detroit City Council meeting to discuss how to avoid a state takeover was canceled.

Attention in Lansing turns to road funding as State of the State approaches

Jake Neher — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:23:47 +0000

Governor Rick Snyder says he’ll outline a new plan to fund road improvements during his State of the State address on Wednesday.

The plan could include higher vehicle registration fees to pay for road projects and maintenance.

Snyder wants e-retailers to collect Michigan sales tax

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:40:37 +0000

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is appealing to lawmakers in Washington to make online retailers collect state sales tax.

Melissa Anders from MLive.com reports that Gov. Snyder sent a letter to U.S. Senate leaders this week expressing his support for the Marketplace Fairness Act. The law would require companies doing business online to calculate sales tax based on customer location and collect the taxes on behalf of states.

Governor Snyder reportedly sees the law as "a way to level the playing field between brick-and-mortar shops and online retailers like Amazon.com and Overstock.com," Anders writes.

In the letter, Snyder also sights fiscal concerns:

"The Michigan Department of Treasury estimates that total revenue lost to e-commerce and mail-order purchases will amount to $872 million during fiscal years 2012 and 2013...it is crucial that the state has the tools to fairly collect the revenue that it is owed. The Marketplace Fairness act would provide states with the authority to do just that."

Michigan residents are already required to pay a "use tax" of 6 percent on their income tax returns for purchases made online. But it's difficult to enforce and few taxpayers heed the rule.

-John Klein Wilson, Michigan Radio Newsroom

More powerful fireworks to be sold in Michigan?

Mark Brush — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:56:45 +0000

Next July 4th, you might find more than just your garden variety sparklers and smoke snakes at Michigan fireworks stands.

The Michigan Fireworks Safety Act passed the Michigan House yesterday and moves onto the Michigan Senate.

The law will allow people to buy fireworks in a category "that includes aerial devices and other more spectacular devices" without a permit, according to a legislative analysis.

Michigan proposal targets taxes on Internet sales

The Associated Press — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:01:51 +0000

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan lawmakers are renewing a push to require more businesses selling items over the Internet to collect the state's 6 percent sales tax.

Legislation dealing with the issue was detailed Tuesday at the state Capitol.

The Michigan Retailers Association says some out-of-state, online-only retailers use legal loopholes that allow them to avoid collecting state sales tax at the point of sale. The retailers association says that gives the online retailers an unfair price advantage and hurts Michigan businesses that have storefronts and collect the sales tax.

Bills to be introduced by Republican Rep. Eileen Kowall of Oakland County's White Lake Township and Democratic Rep. Jim Ananich of Flint would move online-only retailers under the same sales tax collection laws under which brick-and-mortar businesses operate.

Online Christmas sales have Michigan tax officials saying 'Bah Humbug'

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:26:23 +0000

Online sales are reportedly up about 12 percent this holiday shopping season. That could be bad news for Michigan tax collectors. Michigan residents are supposed to pay sales tax on items bought online, but few do.

Caleb Booth is a spokesman for the state Treasury Department. He says the state lost out on $328 million dollars in uncollected sales taxes on online purchases in 2009.

"If you’re talking about some of the recent budget deficits