A measure to repeal the 10 percent tan tax was introduced by congressmen Michael Grimm of New York on June 2, 2011. H.R. 2092, “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on indoor tanning services,” has been directed to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
The Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) applauds congressmen Michael Grimm of New York, Pat Tiberi of Ohio, Phil Roe of Tennessee and the 24 original co-sponsors for their leadership in introducing the legislation, which aims to repeal the regressive tax on UV tanning services enacted as a part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, President Obama's healthcare reform legislation. The co-sponsors are Reps: Marsha Blackburn [TN], Jason Chaffetz [UT], Eric A. "Rick" Crawford [AR], Jeff Denham [CA], Sam Graves [MO], Frank C. Guinta [NH], Brett Guthrie [KY], Richard L. Hanna [NY], Tim Huelskamp [KS], Bill Huizenga [MI], Lynn Jenkins [KS], Thaddeus G. McCotter [MI], Mike Pompeo [KS], Reid J. Ribble [WI], David P. Roe [TN], Mike J. Rogers [MI], Steve Stivers [OH], Marlin A. Stutzman [IN], Lee Terry [NE], Patrick J. Tiberi [OH], Tim Walberg [MI], Lynn A. Westmoreland [GA], Kevin Yoder [KS] and Todd C. Young [IN].
"This tax has been a serious hardship on our industry," ITA President Dan Humiston says. "Because the industry depends on consumers' discretionary income, the recession and this tax have had a profound negative effect on our businesses. In reality, this tax takes money out of the pockets of some of those least able to afford it: working women, who are not only customers but also make up a majority of our business owners; and college students, who are both customers and employees."
The recession and this tax have resulted in business closings and lost jobs. Since 2009, the ITA reports that more than 3,100 businesses representing 15 percent of the industry have closed nationwide resulting in approximately 24,000 lost jobs in the private sector. The association estimates the industry includes roughly 18,000 small businesses employing approximately 120,000 people.
