Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Stay Calm Yogis: Washington D.C. Now Has a Yoga Tax

Yes, the government is after the yogis. WSJ reports:
Despite a strong showing of yogis and fitness enthusiasts at the D.C. City Council chamber this morning, a proposed amendment to delay implementation of the so-called yoga tax failed on a vote of 9-4 ahead of the main budget vote...

Opponents of the levy, who have styled themselves the “Don’t Tax Wellness Coalition”, have been leading a charge over the past three weeks to remove a proposed 5.75% sales tax on gym memberships and fitness classes, one component of a larger effort to expand the city’s sales tax to cover more services.  Other services that will be taxed under the new budget include car washes, tanning salons and home water delivery... 
Tensions peaked when council member Mary Cheh took aim at the coalition’s slogans. “The only joke here is on us if we fall prey to these health club businesses and their phony labels,” she argued before the amendment vote...
[U]unless the mayor acts [to veto the bill], yoga classes – as well as all other fitness-related activities – will become 5.75% more expensive come Oct. 1.
Hey yogis, just think of it as an extension of the Beatles observation:
 Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet
If you try to go "om", I'll tax your mantra beat




-RW

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