Bill Number: H494
Position: Needs Amendments
Sponsor: Scott Bedke
Bill Info: Increases the grocery tax credit to $135/year from $100/$120 for age 65+ for all residents but leaves the 6% sales tax on groceries. IORC's stance is that the fairest, most equitable, and efficient thing to do is to repeal the grocery tax. Increasing in the tax credit is helpful but it doesn't address most of the fundamental problems with the tax. The tax credit needs improved to include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, to index it to inflation over time, and to direct the Tax Commission to track and provide data that will lay the groundwork to address the grocery tax in 2021.
This bill was reintroduced to address questions about the Tax Relief Fund.
Idaho Legislature Website Link: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2020/legislation/H0494/
Bill Number: HB360
Position: Support
Sponsor: Rep. Priscilla Giddings, Rep. Tammy Nichols
Bill Info: Repeals the 6% sales tax on groceries and the grocery tax credit. Increases to 12.4% from 11.5% the amount of sales tax revenue shared with cities and counties.
Idaho Legislature Website Link: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2020/legislation/H0360/
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