State lawmakers are debating several proposals to add sales tax to many services North Carolina residents currently don't pay taxes on.
Things like getting your car fixed, going bowling, mailing a package and even getting your grass cut could soon bear an increased cost as the state struggles to generate revenue.
A weak economy has already slowed business for Yards By Us, a lawn maintenance company, and owner Kenny Nolasco wonders if tacking on sales tax would put them out of business.
"I just don't know how well it will sit with them," he said. "Hopefully, it won't affect business to much with the company, because they will understand that it is something that is out of our control."
Under the proposed bill, sales tax would be added to contract services like lawn maintenance beginning in October. And even if you mow your own lawn, the bill is so encompassing, there are likely other areas that will impact you.
The bill also calls for state and local sales tax on courier service fees, which means shipping things or mailing packages will cost you more.
"I would like to see our government -- the people responsible for our government -- be a little more mindful of what they spend and where they spend it, as opposed to just going to the well when there are budget pressures," said Hank Kronbach, who works at The UPS Store. "It's another tax which we consumers aren't too happy about."
The bill would also add sales tax to the price of entertainment, which means movie theaters will collect sales tax on your tickets.
None of these proposals is set in stone, but lawmakers say almost any service is fair game.
Things like getting your car fixed, going bowling, mailing a package and even getting your grass cut could soon bear an increased cost as the state struggles to generate revenue.
A weak economy has already slowed business for Yards By Us, a lawn maintenance company, and owner Kenny Nolasco wonders if tacking on sales tax would put them out of business.
"I just don't know how well it will sit with them," he said. "Hopefully, it won't affect business to much with the company, because they will understand that it is something that is out of our control."
Under the proposed bill, sales tax would be added to contract services like lawn maintenance beginning in October. And even if you mow your own lawn, the bill is so encompassing, there are likely other areas that will impact you.
The bill also calls for state and local sales tax on courier service fees, which means shipping things or mailing packages will cost you more.
"I would like to see our government -- the people responsible for our government -- be a little more mindful of what they spend and where they spend it, as opposed to just going to the well when there are budget pressures," said Hank Kronbach, who works at The UPS Store. "It's another tax which we consumers aren't too happy about."
The bill would also add sales tax to the price of entertainment, which means movie theaters will collect sales tax on your tickets.
None of these proposals is set in stone, but lawmakers say almost any service is fair game.
