Business
Group pushes Pataki to collect reservation taxes


The New York Association of Convenience Stores submitted legislative testimony on Wednesday, calling on Gov. George Pataki (R) to collect cigarette and fuel taxes on the state's reservations.

Starting March 1, state law authorizes the collection of taxes from the sale of goods to non-Indians. But Pataki has made a policy decision to delay the taxes for one year -- after he has left office, the New York group says.

The convenience stores claim tribal retailers are cheating the state. "It's a full-scale tax evasion epidemic that costs licensed retailers $1 billion or more in gross sales each year, and costs our state at least $900 million a year in lost tax revenue, not to mention what local governments lose, or the additional loss of motor fuel taxes," the group's testimony stated.

The group is holding a teleconference briefing on Monday to discuss the issue.

Get the Story:
NY Gov shouldn't delay Indian cigarette tax: lobby (Reuters 2/15)

Relevant Links:
New York Association of Convenience Stores - http://www.nyacs.org

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