April 15, 2010
Huntington Finance Chair Sees Occupation Tax First Step in More Conducive Environment for Business
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
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Huntington, WV (HNN) -- After the hearing at which the Mayor’s proposed Occupation Tax was presented to council, HNN caught up with Finance Committee chairman, Steve Williams:
“I was talking to the Mayor last night. This is not just a money grab. This is truly tax reform. It makes the taxation system in Huntington more fair, and give us the first step in removing some of these onerous business taxes. If we demonstrate that we are replacing the user fee but taking steps to reduce the [B & O] tax on business. We’re eliminating a regressive tax and encouraging the business development environment. That places us in the right direction.
HNN: A few citizens seemed concerned about the 1% tax with no cap on the upper limit.
WILLIAMS: I’m not saying no, I’m not saying yes. That might be something to consider. Our next step is working to perfect the ordinance. If in our discussion we need a cap on the top end, maybe. We’ve said anyone making $10,000 or below will not have to pay, and that is just.
I’m not as concerned with the upper end. I know people I work with at those levels and they are no gross wage employees. A lot of people are considered wealthy that make their wealth from stock appreciation and stock liquidation. Physicians employed by the hospitals, yes. Physicians self employed would not [they pay B & O].
HNN: You do see this tax as an investment.
WILLIAMS: Some poke fun at the term of a tax as an investment. If you ask the mayor, he spoke to some CEO’s of larger employers [in Huntington] and from what I gather the people of higher income will benefit because it makes the city safer, [it makes] the city more pretty, and [it makes the city] more conducive to an environment that will help their business.
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Huntington Finance Chair Sees Occupation Tax First Step in More Conducive Environment for Business
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- After the hearing at which the Mayor’s proposed Occupation Tax was presented to council, HNN caught up with Finance Committee chairman, Steve Williams:
“I was talking to the Mayor last night. This is not just a money grab. This is truly tax reform. It makes the taxation system in Huntington more fair, and give us the first step in removing some of these onerous business taxes. If we demonstrate that we are replacing the user fee but taking steps to reduce the [B & O] tax on business. We’re eliminating a regressive tax and encouraging the business development environment. That places us in the right direction.
HNN: A few citizens seemed concerned about the 1% tax with no cap on the upper limit.
WILLIAMS: I’m not saying no, I’m not saying yes. That might be something to consider. Our next step is working to perfect the ordinance. If in our discussion we need a cap on the top end, maybe. We’ve said anyone making $10,000 or below will not have to pay, and that is just.
I’m not as concerned with the upper end. I know people I work with at those levels and they are no gross wage employees. A lot of people are considered wealthy that make their wealth from stock appreciation and stock liquidation. Physicians employed by the hospitals, yes. Physicians self employed would not [they pay B & O].
HNN: You do see this tax as an investment.
WILLIAMS: Some poke fun at the term of a tax as an investment. If you ask the mayor, he spoke to some CEO’s of larger employers [in Huntington] and from what I gather the people of higher income will benefit because it makes the city safer, [it makes] the city more pretty, and [it makes the city] more conducive to an environment that will help their business.
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