danya
February 13th, 2004, 07:54 AM
Agency suggests city could tax cosmetic surgery, lattes
February 13, 2004, 8:30 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) _ Taxing plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures could bring in $62 million in revenue for the city, according to the city's Independent Budget Office.
The suggestion to collect taxes on cosmetic surgery was among nearly 70 options included in a report released by the publicly funded, nonpartisan agency on Thursday.
Such a tax could cover botox and collagen injections, laser treatments, dermabrasions, chemical peels and breast surgery, which are currently not subject to sales tax because they are considered medical procedures, the agency said.
"The business of cosmetic enhancements, including both surgical and nonsurgical procedures, is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States," the report said, adding that the number of procedures more than quadrupled between 1997 and 2001.
Another suggestion included in the report was a "latte tax" similar to the recent 10-cent tax on coffee drinks proposed and rejected in Seattle. The agency said such a tax could bring in $12 million annually in New York, with an assumption that New Yorkers consume about half as many coffee drinks as Seattle residents.
The city could also raise revenues by putting cafes in library reading rooms, an idea that could generate $1 million annually if concessions were put into 125 libraries.
Another $26.5 million could be saved if the city stopped funding transportation for private school students, and $11 million could be saved by eliminating funding for textbooks for private school students, the report said.
Other tax options included restoring the commuter tax, reinstating fares on the Staten Island ferry, and reducing the number of paid holidays for city workers, the agency said.
from newsday.com
February 13, 2004, 8:30 AM EST
NEW YORK (AP) _ Taxing plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures could bring in $62 million in revenue for the city, according to the city's Independent Budget Office.
The suggestion to collect taxes on cosmetic surgery was among nearly 70 options included in a report released by the publicly funded, nonpartisan agency on Thursday.
Such a tax could cover botox and collagen injections, laser treatments, dermabrasions, chemical peels and breast surgery, which are currently not subject to sales tax because they are considered medical procedures, the agency said.
"The business of cosmetic enhancements, including both surgical and nonsurgical procedures, is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States," the report said, adding that the number of procedures more than quadrupled between 1997 and 2001.
Another suggestion included in the report was a "latte tax" similar to the recent 10-cent tax on coffee drinks proposed and rejected in Seattle. The agency said such a tax could bring in $12 million annually in New York, with an assumption that New Yorkers consume about half as many coffee drinks as Seattle residents.
The city could also raise revenues by putting cafes in library reading rooms, an idea that could generate $1 million annually if concessions were put into 125 libraries.
Another $26.5 million could be saved if the city stopped funding transportation for private school students, and $11 million could be saved by eliminating funding for textbooks for private school students, the report said.
Other tax options included restoring the commuter tax, reinstating fares on the Staten Island ferry, and reducing the number of paid holidays for city workers, the agency said.
from newsday.com