Tax breaks for country clubs still on agenda in Missouri Senate [View all]

JEFFERSON CITY • Despite a tight state budget and earlier criticism by Gov. Eric Greitens of taxpayer assistance for things like soccer stadiums, a Missouri senator is continuing to push for a tax break for country clubs.

In a hearing Tuesday, Sen. Jay Wasson told members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee that a decision by the Missouri Department of Revenue could negatively affect scores of small town, private country clubs by forcing them to collect sales taxes on monthly or annual dues.

“These little country clubs struggle to survive to begin with. This would demolish them,” said Wasson, a Republican from Nixa.

Under Senate Bill 80, private country clubs, golf courses and golf clubs not open to the public would be exempt from sales and use taxes on charges for initiation fees or dues. In order to gain broader acceptance of his proposal, Wasson has expanded it to include other not-for-profit organizations like fraternities, sororities, garden clubs and other social organizations.

Read more: http://www.mycouriertribune.com/news/state_news/tax-breaks-for-country-clubs-still-on-agenda-in-missouri/article_d60a027e-ed47-5799-9aac-6d0347b6a0a6.html