HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0751.095 2014-2016 May 3, 2016
Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Aloha Council Member Onishi,
c. SCJ
I write to express my opposition to Bill 165 which would add a County
of Hawaii surcharge of one half percent on top of the current 4.0 4,General Excise Tax. -
While I recognize and appreciate the need to raise additional revenues UJ - '
for the County of Hawaii, I strongly believe the proposal is extreme
and would have an adverse and negative impact on Hawaii's hard working
families, homeless, rentals, and our communities.
As a member of a household where we are both independent contractorsthis places a large burden on us and we do not feel like it is fair to t keep taxing the working class like this. An increase in tax should be
on sales tax so that it is evenly distributed amongst the community.
Increasing GE Tax only hits a select number of individuals that are
already paying their fair share of taxes and then some. There is a
reason why Hawaii is one of the only states to have this tax and it
isn't because we are a progressive state by any means. There are many
states out there that manage to balance their budget with out GE Tax
instead of increasing this tax you should take a look at what other
states are doing to balance their budgets.
The General Excise Tax is not like a sales tax. A sales tax only covers
the final retail sale of goods -- it DOES NOT apply at the wholesale
level, nor does it apply to services, rent, interest, commissions or
other forms of income.
General Excise Tax is applied to every economic activity imaginable. It
DOES apply at the wholesale level, to services, rent, interest,
commissions, and other forms of income.
A business that is making little or no profit pays little or no income
tax. In contrast, the General Excise Tax is imposed on every dollar
that the business takes in, even if there is no net profit after
expenses are paid.
I urge the County Council to reconsider and VOTE NO on BILL 165 this
Tuesday.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts on this important
matter in advance of Tuesday's vote.
Mahalo,
Mrs. Misti Tyrin
2 Kamehameha Ave
Hilo, HI 96720-2830
misti@daylum.com
Allef
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Ref. Date MAY 0 3 .2016