Usually, companies land themselves in hot water with taxing authorities for waiting too late to take action. But it’s actually possible to get into trouble for acting too quickly. Just ask retailing giant Target: a Target store found itself under the microscope in South Carolina for allegedly implementing a new sales tax a month early….
It’s that time of year again! Despite evidence that state sales tax holidays actually cost taxpayers money, many states have renewed their temporary reprieve on state sales tax collections for certain back-to-school and hurricane preparedness items – oh, and guns (let’s not forget the guns). Politically, sales tax holidays are “feel good” legislative acts: they…
When I was a teenager, as soon as I was able, I rushed down to our local library to register to vote. In North Carolina, you can register to vote before you turn 18, so long as you’ll turn 18 by the next general election. And I wanted to be ready. I have always understood…
So, show of hands: who really thought that former Massachusetts Governor and current GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney would win South Carolina? My hand will stay firmly by my side. I expected Romney to lose South Carolina. I also still fully expect him to get the nod from the party at the GOP Convention despite…
This week, the eyes of the nation turn to South Carolina. No, not for the 37th Annual South Carolina Square and Round Dance Convention (though who among us doesn’t enjoy a good line dance?). They’ll be watching the South Carolina Republican primary, to be held on January 19, 2012. I know what you’re thinking: why…
Every November, after the turkey has been eaten and the cranberry salad has been attacked with vigor, Americans sit back and realize: it’s time to go shopping. Black Friday – the Friday after Thanksgiving – is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year. The prospect of sales and promotions lure shoppers into stores to…
So wow. Color me completely shocked. Okay, not completely. But shocked. South Carolina legislators said no to Amazon.com’s bid for a sales tax exemption. And it was a big no. The vote wasn’t even close: 71 no votes to 47 yes votes. It was a pretty sound denial. The plan, as outlined a few days…
Amazon.com is upping the stakes in its quest to avoid sales tax on online sales. The online sales giant has promised to build a distribution center in Cayce, South Carolina (just west of Columbia) that will reportedly create 1,200 jobs in the first year alone. But. And it’s a big but. The company wants assurances…
According to retailers in Anderson, SC, more guns are sold in South Carolina in the weekend after Thanksgiving than at any other time of the year. No, it’s not that eating turkey at the holidays makes you want to run out and shoot up some more dinner. Or the thought of the Christmas loot coming…
In a remarkable change, South Carolina has voted to increase its cigarette tax for the first time since 1977. Well, sort of for the first time. The legislature originally increased the cigarette tax earlier in the month. But it was subsequently vetoed by Governor Sanford (R-SC). Today, however, the legislature managed to override the veto,…