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The nose-job tax: States consider levies on botox, plastic surgery
post-gazette.com ^ | 06/01/05 | Rachel Emma Silverman

Posted on 06/02/2005 7:10:01 AM PDT by KeyesPlease

That nose job might get more expensive.

A number of states are considering taxing certain cosmetic surgery procedures, including face-lifts, tummy-tucks and Botox injections. The idea behind the taxes -- dubbed "vanity taxes" or "Botaxes" by some -- is to boost state coffers and raise revenue for government initiatives such as health care for poor children. The proposals have stoked the ire of plastic surgeons and their patients, who have been lobbying hard to keep their procedures tax-free.

New Jersey passed the first cosmetic surgery tax law last summer. Since then, lawmakers in states including Texas, Illinois, Washington, Arkansas, Tennessee and New York have introduced bills or budget proposals to install similar taxes, although none of those states has passed the taxes into law. Legislative sessions have just ended in many states, but efforts to reintroduce the tax bills are likely to be revived in some. Proponents of the efforts say that since the taxes are levied on elective procedures, they are relatively painless ways to raise money for state programs.

(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; US: Arkansas; US: Illinois; US: New Jersey; US: New York; US: Tennessee; US: Texas; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: boobytax; taxes
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"When the tax was signed into law last June it was expected to generate $24 million this fiscal year. The state now thinks the tax will only generate $7 million this year."

The state might do better if it taxed lipo by the pound.

1 posted on 06/02/2005 7:10:02 AM PDT by KeyesPlease
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To: KeyesPlease

Hope my girlfriend gets her tummy tuck and breast lift before NC starts this.


2 posted on 06/02/2005 7:12:49 AM PDT by holdmuhbeer
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To: KeyesPlease

Hope my girlfriend gets her tummy tuck and breast lift before NC starts this.


3 posted on 06/02/2005 7:13:06 AM PDT by holdmuhbeer
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To: KeyesPlease
These stupid niche soak-the-rich taxes never work out as planned. Remember the luxury boat tax, that nearly killed the yacht industry.
4 posted on 06/02/2005 7:14:28 AM PDT by The_Victor (Doh!... stupid tagline)
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To: KeyesPlease

Is there anything left that isn't taxed?
The money you earn to go get your surgery is taxed. Many times over.
The gas in your car is taxed.
Your car is taxed, when you buy it and to keep it.
You're taxed to keep tags on it.
It's endless.


5 posted on 06/02/2005 7:16:26 AM PDT by visualops (visualops.com)
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To: KeyesPlease

Here in California, we could balance the budget with no problem with this tax.


6 posted on 06/02/2005 7:16:59 AM PDT by socal_parrot
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To: socal_parrot

Here in California, we could balance the budget with no problem with this tax.
------
The real question is "When is the taxation madness going to stop??" We are already so OVER-TAXED it is beyond belief but the socialist politicians of California just want to KEEP SPENDING AND TAXING!!! Well, afterall, we must pay $10 BILLION per year to take care of ILLEGAL aliens, must we not???

It is totally out of control!!!


7 posted on 06/02/2005 7:21:46 AM PDT by EagleUSA
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To: socal_parrot

Remember the Luxery Boat Tax? 17,000 jobs were lost in Florida alone.


8 posted on 06/02/2005 7:22:31 AM PDT by massgopguy (massgopguy)
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To: KeyesPlease

If they tax breast enhancements they can call it a flat tax...


9 posted on 06/02/2005 7:24:20 AM PDT by BJClinton (Newsweak Lied, People Died)
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To: KeyesPlease

I wonder if this includes Lasik surgery (for eyes)?


10 posted on 06/02/2005 7:26:10 AM PDT by theDentist (The Dems are putting all their eggs in one basket-case: Howard "Belltower" Dean.)
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To: SheLion; CSM; Just another Joe
The idea behind the taxes -- dubbed "vanity taxes" or "Botaxes" by some -- is to boost state coffers and raise revenue for government initiatives such as health care for poor children.

Where have we heard this line before?

BWAAAAA HAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAA

No sympathy from this quarter - after all no one HAS to do these things do they? So they actually have a choice about paying the tax.

11 posted on 06/02/2005 7:26:31 AM PDT by Gabz (My give-a-damn is busted.)
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To: KeyesPlease
What if the plastic surgery is necessary? My wife got bitten by a dog on the face and the ER doctors wouldn't sew it up, they insisted on calling in the on call plastic surgeon, would that have been taxed?
12 posted on 06/02/2005 7:26:52 AM PDT by sticker
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To: sticker

ALL ENGLISH TEACHER PLAEASE FOR GIVE MY SENTENCE STRUCTURE IN MY PREVIOUS POST


13 posted on 06/02/2005 7:28:47 AM PDT by sticker
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To: sticker

reconstructive cosmetic surgery is not taxed. yet.


14 posted on 06/02/2005 7:31:31 AM PDT by KeyesPlease
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To: KeyesPlease

New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania are a hop skip and a jump from New Jersey. Loads of surgeons will be more than happy to accept out of state patients.


15 posted on 06/02/2005 7:32:57 AM PDT by CaptainK
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To: Gabz

The idea behind the taxes -- dubbed "vanity taxes" or "Botaxes" by some -- is to boost state coffers.

There, I fixed it.


16 posted on 06/02/2005 7:35:47 AM PDT by CSM ( If the government has taken your money, it has fulfilled its Social Security promises. (dufekin))
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To: EagleUSA

You're right. The blood suckers will never have enough of our money.


17 posted on 06/02/2005 7:37:41 AM PDT by Millee (So you're a feminist......isn't that cute??)
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To: CSM

But what the heck - it's a voluntary tax :)


18 posted on 06/02/2005 7:38:49 AM PDT by Gabz (My give-a-damn is busted.)
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To: Gabz
No sympathy from this quarter - after all no one HAS to do these things do they? So they actually have a choice about paying the tax.

I heard this before. All plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes, will be taxes.

And the lawmakers want to tax it all over the United States.

Well, that's good. Let them go after some one ELSE for a change beside people who smoke!

Hit Hollyweird. They are forever getting work done!

19 posted on 06/02/2005 7:39:16 AM PDT by SheLion (God Bless Our Vets and Our Military. We thank them for their service!)
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To: visualops
Are abortions taxed?

Oh yeah, that's right...they're tax funded.

20 posted on 06/02/2005 7:51:30 AM PDT by grellis (Will zot for cowbells)
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