We agree!
#TABOR #ItsYourMoneyNotTheirs #ThankGodForTABOR #ItsAQuestionOfPriorities #CoLeg
http://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-denver-post/20200305/281900185260793
#TABOR
#ItsYourMoneyNotTheirs
#ThankGodForTABOR
#VoteNo
#CoLeg
DENVER —The Colorado Department of Revenue will be meeting to gather input before considering changes to the tax code that would make a movie streamed or downloaded from Amazon — among other digital items — taxable in Colorado, a move that has some questioning if this circumvents the state constitution’s requirement that new or increased taxes get voter approval first.
The “stakeholder workgroup” is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 4 at 1313 Sherman St. Room 220 in Denver to “discuss the promulgation of a sales tax rule to clarify the department’s treatment of digital goods as tangible property.”
The department defines “stakeholder workgroup” as a forum for the department to gather information from stakeholders. It occurs before the actual rulemaking hearing. Stakeholders are defined as “individuals who have particular knowledge of the issues being discussed … to provide relevant information, opinions, and constructive feedback and suggestions.”
The public is invited to give input. Anyone who cannot attend in person can request a conference number to call in at dor_taxrules@state.co.us or by submitting comments via email to the same address.
According to a draft of the proposed change to rule 39-26-102(15) “Tangible Personal Property,” “the purpose of this rule is to provide clarification on the definition of tangible personal property.”
Laura Carno, founder of SpringsTaxpayers.com, said regardless of what they choose to call it, when they take more money from the people, they need to ask permission. She called this process a violation of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).
“The fact that they are doing this through rulemaking instead of doing it properly by asking the voters shows the contempt they have for taxpayers.,” Carno said. “They just look at us as their ATM.”
Denver, CO – New taxes may be on their way to the ballot. Colorado Initiative Title Setting Review Board approved language for 12 new taxes. The next step will be collecting the two hundred thousand or more signature to have these ballot initiatives appear on your November 2020 ballot.
After the sound defeat of Proposition CC in 2019, the tax and spend crowd would go away for a while. The simple answer is no. As long as liberal billionaires fund “think tanks” like the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute and the Bell Center For Policy, they will always be pushing for tax increases and the repeal of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).
From Colorado Politics:
The board also approved 12 initiatives from Carol Hedges and Steve Briggs of Denver that would create a graduated income tax system, raising approximately $2 billion to $2.4 billion. The money would go toward education and addressing “the impacts of a growing population and a changing economy.”
Voters have turned down tax increases and eliminating spending caps every election they have been on the state-wide ballot. The last successful attempt was Referendum C in 2005 after too many Republicans campaigned hard for it. In a related note, those Republicans political careers ended that day.
Just received my annual registration for my 2004 Subaru Outback and just reading the receipt my blood again begins to boil. The only “tax” listed is $3 for specific ownership tax, the next 12 items are all “fees”. Age of vehicle fee $7, bridge safety surcharge fee $23, clerk hire fee $4, county road and bridge fee $1.50, emergency medical services fee $2, emissions-statewide air account fee, $0.5 and many more, for a grand total of $70.17.
These are in addition to all of the gas taxes we all pay each time we fill up. I don’t mind being charged for normal needs-based surcharges such as those required to maintain our infrastructure but lets call it what they are.. Taxes! Since I/we are already paying all of these “fees” to the state, it’s another reason why I am appalled at the thought of eventually having to also pay more and more for the myriad of oncoming toll lanes throughout the state.
#TABOR
#ItsYourMoneyNotTheirs
#ThankGodForTABOR
#VoteNo
#CoLeg
Guest blog from Dennis Simpson, retired CPA and TABOR activist. Simpson lives in Mesa County.
There are not many local Colorado governments left that have not relaxed TABOR restrictions. One of the remaining few is Mesa County. Recent action by County Commissioners increased the possibility that anti-TABOR folks (including our local newspaper) soon will mount an effort to remove protections that TABOR provides you.
In this case, TABOR limits the ability of a government to retain excess revenue in two distinct ways. It limits the amount of property taxes collected and additionally limits the overall revenue collected in any year.
In 2018, Mesa County’s collection of property taxes was not an issue. However, the County had a banner year in the collection of sales taxes which resulted in excess revenue exceeding $5 million.
The concept of refunding anything other than excesses caused by property taxes has not happened for many years, presenting a new challenge to staff and Commissioners. The Commissioners ignored helpful suggestions for alternatives and dismissed the issue too rapidly. They decided to take the option that required the least amount of thought. They are giving the $5 million to property taxpayers proportionate to how much property tax each paid. Our largest property taxpayers are oil companies and box stores with main offices far away. Over $2 million of the sales tax refund will be removed from the local economy. Those who do not own property will get zero and those who own lower value homes will get a pittance.
A guest column on this issue, “Commissioners’ handling of refunds at odds with TABOR’s long-term survival,” provides additional discussion.