A Louisiana House committee advanced a possible constitutional amendment Tuesday to create a single statewide entity to collect sales taxes.
House Bill 199 is the session’s top priority for Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, who is the bill’s author, and many business advocates. Though only one member of House Ways and Means Committee objected, some members and stakeholders expressed concerns that likely will be raised again as the legislation moves through the process.
Louisiana is one of only three states without a centralized sales tax collector. Companies that do business in multiple jurisdictions have to deal with – and potentially be audited by – multiple collectors. Small businesses, in particular, find it difficult to comply, business owners and advocates said.
Local officials have resisted a state takeover of sales tax collection, saying local control helps ensure taxes are spent the way local taxpayers and voters want them spent. Guy Cormier, who represents the Police Jury Association of Louisiana, said he was taking the “monumental” step not to oppose HB 199, in part, because local officials were allowed to participate in the task force that helped to create the bill.
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