USDA Christmas Tree Tax Takes Effect

breitbart ^ | Nov. 15, 2014 | Rich Tucker

[Secret Agent Man]

fees == taxes everyone pays.

[Robert A Cook PE]

If the government insists on doing these ridiculous programs I'd rather have the cost added to the product than assessed on all taxpayers.

Ah, but if the industry asks the government to fund a industry-specific improvement program, but FUND IT from the government by a mandatory-government-required tax (er, fee) then the INDUSTRY is not to blame for the government-required extra tax (er, fee) on their own product that helps the industry, right?

So the industry gets more money from the government, but "obviously" is not to blame fro higher prices paid by the consumer, right?

[Ray76]

I want to know if it’s collected at the cash register.

[MeshugeMikey]

ten years from know we will be forced to recycle those trees year after year..

[bert]

From Gruber we learned...... Roberts was right on

[SkyDancer]

And see it listed on your receipt ......

[ClearCase_guy]

I'm somewhat reminded of the Lord of The Rings -- The Scouring of the Shire -- in which one of the hobbits notes that the Shire has become overrun with "Gatherers and Sharers" although "they seem to do more gathering than sharing".

Government should not be allowed to have a role in agriculture. It's not like they are actually going to help in some way. They just make things more expensive and more scarce.

[nascarnation]

If you’ve ever done that, I’m sure you understand it takes a whole ‘nother level of effort for the grower and the user, which is why less than 1% of trees are transacted that way.

[Sacajaweau]

The tax man cometh.

An old friend grows Christmas trees locally. An IRS rep comes out and counts the holes and/or stumps and keeps a running record.

[SunkenCiv]

A few months ago, the federal government created a national marketing program to advertise the virtues of real Christmas trees. It’s funded by a 15-cent surcharge that will be added to the cost of each tree sold. It’s not a tax, Washington insists -- merely a fee that you have to pay.

Fifteen cents, people, settle the **** down.

[dragnet2]

This is exactly why I purchase as few items as possible nowadays.

I’m forced to contribute to this massive crime syndicate, but I will pay them as little as humanly possible.

[Sacajaweau]

Both ways get taxed...It’s on trees sold.

[Ray76]

Or if the fee is tied to the individual sales. Of course that amount would be added to each sale, whether listed on the receipt or not. That would be a national sales tax.

If it’s like other industry promotions there is an amount due from each business. I don’t know how that amount is determined but I’ve never heard of it being tied to an individual sale.

Not that I agree with any of this stuff.

[GeronL]

exactly

[Ray76]

Well then that is a national sales tax.

[Paulie]

Good question. maybe someone or some group can put it to the test and see...

[Straight Vermonter]

So the industry gets more money from the government, but "obviously" is not to blame fro higher prices paid by the consumer, right?

I suppose some people might be dim enough to actually fall for that.

[smokingfrog]

Shazzaam! I wish the govt. would tax my business some more so that I can be more successful.

Some people have all the luck. /S

[terycarl]

Hmmm, where have I heard that before? Paging John Roberts...

as I recall, Roberts referred to it as a tax....

[Paladin2]

Can you grow and harvest a Christmas Tree on your own property without paying the $0.15?

What if it's a Hanukkah Bush?