[Vision2020] WOW!

[Sue Hovey]

When I read the article, I was a bit incensed, too.  But on reflection there are some issues here that ought to be examined.   1.  If the kids are in school all day, do Mom and Dad sell for them? If they do, at what point does this become a family endeavor, which most of us would agree, surely is a reasonable source of tax revenue. 2.  Is it possible someone asked the Compliance officer to check, and are they duty bound to do so if they get a request?  3.  Seems as though they aren’t attempting to fine anyone.  3.  The dad says he’s trying to teach the kids to be self reliant.  That’s good.  He’s now teaching them to violate the law, as well.   4.  Figuring the 6% tax on sales might be difficult for the little one, but I suspect someone else is making change for her now. For the older boy, though,  this could be a really good, real life math exercise.  5.  I doubt the compliance officer is going to go back to the house.  Even so, now that the parents know what the law is, they just might give some thought to having their children obey it.  

Sue Hovey 

From: Wayne Price 
Sent: Sunday, October 24, 2010 2:27 PM
To: Moscow Vision 2020 
Subject: [Vision2020] WOW!

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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