Sunday, February 3, 2013
Illinois Proposes 25-Cent Sneaker Tax
Chicago Tribune: State Legislator Wants 25-Cent Tax on Athletic Shoes to Help Fund Youth Job Training:
Illinoisans shopping for a new pair of tennis shoes could be coughing up an extra quarter at the cash register starting this summer if a south suburban lawmaker has his way.
The newly introduced bill, sponsored by Rep. Will Davis (D-Hazel Crest), would impose a 25-cent tax on the purchase of athletic shoes — described in the bill as any “shoe designed primarily for sports or other forms of physical activity.”
https://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2013/02/illinois.html
Comments
described in the bill as any “shoe designed primarily for sports or other forms of physical activity.” -- Like walking?
Posted by: Woody | Feb 3, 2013 8:09:11 AM
This proposed sneaker tax is incredibly regressive. It should be means-tested. No one at less than 300% of the poverty level should have to pay this tax. In between, the tax should phase in at one cent per $10,000 of annual income. What's more, economically disadvantaged sneaker consumers should be allowed a refundable tax credit for the Chinese taxes paid by sneaker makers. And anyone above $500,000 of income should have to pay a sneaker surtax of 50 cents, and millionaires a dollar! Lastly, parodies of silly tax policy should be taxed to extinction.
Posted by: Jake | Feb 3, 2013 11:34:15 AM