My understanding is that repealing the grocery tax does not require Idahoans to do paperwork to reclaim their own money. The tax credit schemes either require paperwork and receipt collection, or are not significantly more than the current credit for taxpayers who take the standard deductions. What am I missing?
(Sorry, I can't stand ChatGPT, so skipped its analysis.)
The bill would AUTOMATICALLY bump the credit from $120 to $155 per person—no extra paperwork, no hassle. That increase alone would cover the grocery tax for most Idahoans.
The “paperwork” part? That’s only if you want to go for even more credits above the $155. But for the overwhelming majority of Idahoans, that extra step won’t even be necessary.
Most people will see the increase happen like magic, without lifting a finger.
Brian, Thanks for making the video. Good explanation. I disagree on the conclusion, "Why would I not vote for the grocery tax credit bill? I might even get a bit more back." The government gives and the government takes away. Who is shackled with the 'bit more you get back'? Probably, those who the credit didn't fully cover? Unknown but it make it worse because some people with think they are getting free money from the gov't. If one were to continue that thinking then, one might start to explore other ways to 'get free money' from he government. I agree, support the bill. However, it is possible that in supporting the bill the Idaho treasury may find that they in fact are having to find other sources to cover the increase credits that might, 'be just a bit more' to each person than they paid out in sales tax. Therefore, THE GROCERY TAX MUST BE REMOVED. I don't understand how we can be identified as one of the most conservative state legislatures in the county and yet, we can't even pass a bill to remove a simple thing such as the grocery tax......Whynot??
Thanks for the breakdown Brian! I'd prefer the elinimation of the tax simply because no tax return is needed to be filed. Not everyone has to file a return, so that is my reasoning.
I do not understand why not just GET RID OF THE TAX COMPLETELY? A tax on something that is needed to survive is an immoral tax. You might as well tax the air you breathe. Taxing food, water or air is horrible. So, basically NO ONE IS SUBMITTING A BILL TO REPEAL. That is sad to me.
Brian, thanks for keeping focus on this. However, I suggest raising the tax credit is a similar goal but not the same. The tax is still being paid and not every person selects the receive the credit. It is not automatic. Therefore, repeal of the tax IS the objective!
I suspect previous tax relief bills have failed because so many visitors vacation in our beautiful state every year and buy groceries while they are here. If the grocery tax were eliminated, some of the revenue from visitors would also disappear. Visitors to the state benefit from state services, roads, law enforcement, etc., so one line of thought is, they should help pay for them, rather than the burden being borne strictly by Idahoans. Idahoans are reimbursed for the tax; visitors are not.
My understanding is that repealing the grocery tax does not require Idahoans to do paperwork to reclaim their own money. The tax credit schemes either require paperwork and receipt collection, or are not significantly more than the current credit for taxpayers who take the standard deductions. What am I missing?
(Sorry, I can't stand ChatGPT, so skipped its analysis.)
You’re misunderstanding.
The bill would AUTOMATICALLY bump the credit from $120 to $155 per person—no extra paperwork, no hassle. That increase alone would cover the grocery tax for most Idahoans.
The “paperwork” part? That’s only if you want to go for even more credits above the $155. But for the overwhelming majority of Idahoans, that extra step won’t even be necessary.
Most people will see the increase happen like magic, without lifting a finger.
Thanks for explaining.
So without additional paperwork, the tax credit provides $35 extra per person per year. After we file our taxes.
Brian, Thanks for making the video. Good explanation. I disagree on the conclusion, "Why would I not vote for the grocery tax credit bill? I might even get a bit more back." The government gives and the government takes away. Who is shackled with the 'bit more you get back'? Probably, those who the credit didn't fully cover? Unknown but it make it worse because some people with think they are getting free money from the gov't. If one were to continue that thinking then, one might start to explore other ways to 'get free money' from he government. I agree, support the bill. However, it is possible that in supporting the bill the Idaho treasury may find that they in fact are having to find other sources to cover the increase credits that might, 'be just a bit more' to each person than they paid out in sales tax. Therefore, THE GROCERY TAX MUST BE REMOVED. I don't understand how we can be identified as one of the most conservative state legislatures in the county and yet, we can't even pass a bill to remove a simple thing such as the grocery tax......Whynot??
Thanks for the breakdown Brian! I'd prefer the elinimation of the tax simply because no tax return is needed to be filed. Not everyone has to file a return, so that is my reasoning.
I do not understand why not just GET RID OF THE TAX COMPLETELY? A tax on something that is needed to survive is an immoral tax. You might as well tax the air you breathe. Taxing food, water or air is horrible. So, basically NO ONE IS SUBMITTING A BILL TO REPEAL. That is sad to me.
Yes, I'd rather get rid of it. But I'm also not going to stand in the way of tax relief that, at the end of the day, accomplishes the same goal.
Brian, thanks for keeping focus on this. However, I suggest raising the tax credit is a similar goal but not the same. The tax is still being paid and not every person selects the receive the credit. It is not automatic. Therefore, repeal of the tax IS the objective!
I suspect previous tax relief bills have failed because so many visitors vacation in our beautiful state every year and buy groceries while they are here. If the grocery tax were eliminated, some of the revenue from visitors would also disappear. Visitors to the state benefit from state services, roads, law enforcement, etc., so one line of thought is, they should help pay for them, rather than the burden being borne strictly by Idahoans. Idahoans are reimbursed for the tax; visitors are not.
REPEAL!!!