Vermont's (Potential) Vitamin Tax
The Vermont Senate is considering a bill passed in the state’s House of Representatives that would add a 6% sales tax on dietary supplements sold in the state. The provision is part of an Act (pdf file) that would modify Vermont tax provisions in an effort to keep education tax rates flat. WCAX.com reports that the tax on supplements would raise about $1.5 million dollars. The Senate Finance Committee is currently holding hearings regarding the bill, including an April 8th hearing with testimony specifically regarding the dietary supplement tax.
Interestingly, Vermont has been in the forefront of the “junk food tax” issue, with at least two bills introduced in the House that would tax soft drink sales. A dietary supplement tax would likely undermine the state’s position of promoting its citizens’ health and nutrition, and perhaps instead portray Vermont as a state simply looking for more tax revenue.
http://www.essentialnutritionlaw.com/admin/trackback/198584
