Merchants Still Charging 7%

July 2, 2007 - Douglas County GA: July 1, 2007 sales tax in Douglas County dropped from 7 percent to 6 percent thanks to voters rejecting the 2006 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) renewal. However, businesses are still charging 7 percent claiming they were never notified by the state of the change.

James Bell, director of Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition (DCTC), conducted a spot check of retail business that revealed merchants were still charging 7 percent sales tax.

Douglas County Tax Commissioner Ann Jones Guider informed Bell that she was told the county was not responsible for notifying the public of the sales tax roll back. According to Guider, the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) should have sent the tax notices.

Bell also spoke with officials at the DOR. They claimed businesses were sent notices with state tax forms. After making several purchases Monday morning, Bell said he notified the managers of the sale tax reduction, but no one offered a refund.

According to the Georgia Department of Revenue, customers will have to ask for a refund or file a complaint with the state.

"Businesses may have simply overlooked the July 1^st tax roll back date. I hope they will make the changes ASAP", said Bell. "It's one thing to buy a pack of gum; it's another if you are buying a car or other big ticket items. Taxpayers should request a refund or notify retailers that they can charge only 6 percent".

The 6 percent tax will remain in place unless voters choose to raise their taxes in the September 18, 2007 SPLOST referendum.

DCTC has launched a campaign against the proposed sales tax increase stating SPLOST projects will increase property taxes.

DCTC encourages everyone to vote No against any tax increase.

More information is available at: www.DouglasTaxes.Com

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