Greetings!
My family and I wish you and yours a fantastic Independence Day. A number of celebrations are taking place throughout the metro area this weekend and I hope you are able to get out and about to enjoy them.
I normally would be participating in the Apple Valley Freedom Days Fourth of July parade, but will be sitting it out this year since my husband, Justin, and I are expecting our second child in about one week.
Click here for tons of information regarding fun things to do all across the metro this week.
You may have heard a whole host of increases on state taxes and fees went into effect July 1. These are part of the budget passed by Gov. Mark Dayton and the legislative majorities this year. I opposed these increases, which add up to more than $2 billion in added costs that will be felt by citizens.
Here is a rundown:
Income taxes
The new 9.85 percent rate on the state’s high-income earners impacts:
Sales taxes
Taxes on a pack of cigarettes rose by $1.60 (from the current $1.23 to $2.83).
Vikings stadium taxes
Part of the revenue from the first year of the cigarette tax increase will be used to make up for the failure of electronic pulltabs to meet revenue projections to fund the state’s commitment to a new Minnesota Vikings stadium.
Online taxes
A sales tax also was added for online purchases such as ringtone downloads, music, videos, books and online computer games.
Business taxes
Businesses pay new sales taxes on warehousing and storage (not including mini-storage); electronic and commercial equipment repair and maintenance; and repealing the current sales tax exemption on telecommunications equipment purchases.
DMV fees
New fee increases are in place on driver’s licenses and vehicle registration.
Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Tara