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Sales tax

Are marshmallows candy? It's a sticky question for state sales taxes

by Matt Levin
Nov 22, 2022
Most states don't tax groceries. But the treat used in candied yams and s'mores tests the definition.
Marshmallows — the roastable, toastable sweet — are taxed differently depending on a state's definition of candy.
Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Best Events
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COVID-19

A 2018 Supreme Court tax decision is helping state budgets during the pandemic

by Marielle Segarra
Sep 3, 2020
Ruling enabling states to collect sales taxes on online purchases turned out to be key.
States are collecting substantial online sales tax revenue while some other forms of commerce shrink.
Mapodile/Getty Images
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COVID-19

45 states just started a new fiscal year. None are celebrating.

by Erika Beras
Jul 8, 2020
Tax revenue is down, expenditures are up and the future's uncertain.
Public health workers in Denver check in with people waiting to be tested for COVID-19 in March. The fight against the pandemic has contributed to state budget shortfalls.
Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
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COVID-19

Depleted sales tax revenue means states have to cut budgets

by Andy Uhler
Jun 4, 2020
Texas is already near the bottom in per capita spending on education, and cuts would only make it worse.
A bar boarded up in Austin, Texas, in May. Texas is one of seven states without an income tax, so it relies more heavily on sales taxes.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
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COVID-19

Cities and states that lean on sales and income tax to operate have taken a hit

by Kristin Schwab
Apr 15, 2020
A place like Columbus, Ohio, relies on income tax for 75% of its revenue.
With much of the economy shutdown and more and more people out of work, cities and states aren’t collecting as much in taxes.
Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images
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States look to new holiday shopping tax dollars post Wayfair decision

by Kimberly Adams
Dec 20, 2019
In many states, it’s the first holiday shopping season since they starting requiring online businesses to collect sales tax.
An eBay representative shows customers the eBay app at a holiday market in Denver in 2017.
Tom Cooper/Getty Images for eBay
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Why do states hold back-to-school sales tax holidays?

by Marielle Segarra
Aug 7, 2019
Politicians and retailers say tax holidays are good for sales and they save people money. But it’s not that simple.
Shoppers peruse notebooks and other back-to-school items at a Walmart in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
Tim Boyle/Getty Images
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Nevada’s "tampon tax" ballot initiative brings up questions about fairness and gender equality

by Jana Kasperkevic
Nov 1, 2018
Women voters are thinking beyond their own wallets when heading to polls this November.
Las Vegas Strip-themed "I Voted" stickers are displayed on the first day of early voting at the Meadows Mall on Oct. 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
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Doing the math on back-to-school tax breaks

by Carrie Barber and Paulina Velasco
Aug 18, 2017
Politicians are the real winners, one expert says.
A child checks her back-to-school shopping list at a Target in Rosemont, Illinois. 
Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images
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Getting a break on back-to-school purchases

by Mitchell Hartman
Aug 10, 2015
Many states offer short tax holidays, but it may be a modest spending season.
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