Iowa puts tax on pumpkins (unless you eat them)

[ohiosmith]

Iowa puts tax on pumpkins (unless you eat them)
Iowa's new policy taxing pumpkins that will be used as decorations is squashing growers' spirits.

By KEN FUSON
Register Staff Writer

October 31, 2007
95 Comments

The Iowa Department of Revenue, often accused of trying to squeeze blood out of turnips, is now searching for pennies in pumpkins.

A new department policy this year has made Halloween jack-o'-lanterns subject to the state sales tax, and many Iowa pumpkin growers are feeling tricked.

Is there room in the patch for both the Great Pumpkin and the tax man on this Halloween night?

"I don't mind paying taxes, but let's get real here, people," said Bob Kautz, owner of the Buffalo Pumpkin Patch in Buffalo, Ia., about eight miles west of Davenport.

Kautz was one of the few Iowa pumpkin sellers willing to talk publicly Tuesday about the new policy, which was published in the revenue department's September newsletter.

Renee Mulvey, the department's spokeswoman, said officials decided that pumpkins are used primarily for Halloween decorations, not food, and should be taxed. Previously, they had been considered an edible squash and exempted from the tax.

more: http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071031/NEWS/710310383

[Pierre.Suave]

1. How will they enforce it?

if at point of sale, they will tax all of them, or are they going to take the buyers word that it is being eaten and not used for decoration?

Will the police ask to see receipts and then issue a ticket if you cant prove you paid a tax for the pumpkin sitting on your porch.

This has government boondoggle written all over it.

[Shakespeare]

2. They charge the tax to everyone; then you have to fill out a fucking WAIVER.

Our local news anchor (Phillip Palmer in LA) was OUTRAGED about it this morning. I was, too, but he was quite entertaining.

[Pierre.Suave]

3. haha

a Waiver? That is funny.

Do they really think this is even worth doing? I can not understand the reasoning behind this.

[Parche]

4. Eat Them>

The pumpkins or the tax collectors? :shrug: :hi: