When MA voters go to the polls on November 2, they’ll have to decide how to vote on three different ballot questions. Question One deals with the sales tax on alcoholic beverages.This is a summary of Question One from the website of the MA Secretary of State:
“This proposed law would remove the Massachusetts sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol, where the sale of such beverages and alcohol or their importation into the state is already subject to a separate excise tax under state law. The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2011.”
The argument in favor of repealing the sales tax on alcoholic beverages in MA (Yes Vote)
Proponents of the “Yes” vote say the new sales tax should be repealed because it is an unfair “double tax;” i.e. a sales tax in addition to an excise tax. “The new sales tax has hurt small business owners who sell beer, wine, and liquor, particularly near New Hampshire, which has no sales tax on alcohol. Business has declined substantially for many of those stores. A ‘yes’ vote eliminates an unfair “double tax” on consumers and helps Massachusetts small businesses.”
SOURCE: Frank Anzalotti .Committee To Repeal the Alcohol Sales Tax
c/o One Beacon Street Boston, MA 02108
617-720-5090 www.YesTo1.com
The argument against repealing the sales tax on alcoholic beverages in MA (No vote)
Those against passage of Question Two say that “Alcohol is not a necessity and does not deserve a special tax exemption. The only goods in Massachusetts exempt from the sales tax are necessities like food, clothing, and prescriptions. If anything should be taxed, products like cigarettes and alcohol should be."
Those against repealing the sales tax on alcohol also claim that "Revenues from the alcohol tax provide dedicated funding for healthcare services for more than 100,000 residents with behavioral health problems. Massachusetts has some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug abuse in the country - the last thing we need is to take money away from prevention and treatment services to make alcohol more accessible.
The alcohol tax helps saves lives by reducing teen drinking and funding treatment services to help people beat addictions and get their lives back on track. Nearly every state has a sales tax on alcohol in addition to excise taxes. Massachusetts faces a serious budget deficit; don’t give alcohol a special exemption."
SOURCE: Vic DiGravio, Treasurer Committee Against Repeal of the Alcohol Tax
c/o Association for Behavioral Healthcare
251 W. Central Street Natick, MA 01760
508-647-8385 x-11 www.NoOn1.com
For more information:
MA Secretary of State's Office
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Comments
Informative article!
Too many taxes will lead to another Boston Tea Party.
Love this article on the sales tax vs. the excise tax. It's already taxed, why should it be taxed again? I understand that alcohol is not a necessity, but with all these taxes and surcharges put on alcohol, it is putting the wine business, as well as all other alcohol-related businesses out of business. In all fairness, the wine, beer and spirits business is primarily an agricultural business. Shouldn't that fall under "food" ?
Voters would be stupid to vote no.
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