[Vision2020] WOW!

[Wayne Price]

You can be an elected official and not pay taxes, but your butt is  
really in a sling with the state of Idaho if you're a kid selling  
pumpkins!



LEWISTON - The Idaho State Tax Commission tried to squash a Lewiston  
family's pumpkin sale Friday.
The family's kids were selling pumpkins to raise money for sports. But  
Friday, their mom said they were told to close up shop.
"A gal came to the door with some paperwork and a business card in her  
hand and handed it to me," said Kami Charais. "She was from the Idaho  
State Tax commission. She said we were illegally selling pumpkins  
because we didn't have a license and we weren't paying taxes."
Kami said the compliance officer told her their stand was in direct  
competition with other businesses that do pay taxes, like A and B  
Foods just a block away. She was also told it's the same no matter  
what's sold.
"According to this lady, kids in town can't even do this with lemonade  
without having a license," said Charais. "They need to pay 6% or  
whatever it is, state tax on their profits."
When Kami refused to fill out paperwork to get a business license, the  
compliance officer said she would come back to make sure they had  
closed up, but she didn't come back.
Neighbors can't believe what they're hearing, saying it's a waste of  
state employee time.
"My kids this summer did a lemonade stand," said neighbor Sabrina  
Session. "And it's as simple as earning extra money. I think it's  
ridiculous to have a little child that is trying to raise money to put  
towards sports so they can actually do extra curricular activities."
"I think it's ridiculous," said neighbor Jeff Mcatte. "A couple little  
kids trying to get involved in sports and pay for it by selling  
pumpkins for a couple of weeks, not making a bunch of money. And the  
tax commission is complaining about a couple of dollars that they  
might see in sales tax."
Kami said they've talked to the farmer they get the pumpkins from. He  
does have a business license and is allowing the kids to sell the  
pumpkins and keep half the profits.
Kami said she and her husband have decided they will continue to sell  
pumpkins from their home at 1012 8th Street. Jacob will be at his  
first wrestling match Saturday, but Sammy will be there to take care  
of the pumpkin sales.
KLEW News contacted Tax Commission Sales Office Manager Diana Nottage  
Friday. She said they always operate from an educational standpoint.  
She said the officer that spoke to the family did so simply to explain  
the law.
Nottage said everything sold in Idaho is taxable unless it is  
specifically exempt and that a temporary permit is required to make  
the market equitable.
Nottage said there is a $100 per day fine for operating without a  
license, but she says in this case, it will not be enforced.
Will Wade, owner of A and B Foods, said he doesn't feel like the kid's  
stand is competing against him and that he's disappointed the tax  
commission singled him out as an excuse.
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