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0 pointsdigitaltrees9y ago0 comments

You cant set sales tax at different rates for tourists, so you have to make up for this difference elsewhere if it is determined the sales tax contribution from tourism does not fully compensate for the costs.

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stale20029y ago

The tourists are a net benefit for cities. If anything, they should pay LESS taxes, not more.

digitaltreesOP9y ago

Cite? Seems like a very broad generalization.

I probably agree that tourists are a net benefit, but like any transaction, they receive a good (experience of visiting a city), and pay a cost (part of which is to the city and its citizens); seems fair.

That being said, not all cities like tourists. Ever tried to go to the beach in New York? They are all private, you have to be a member of a club with beach access. That definitely cuts down on day trip tourists. Some cities in Florida with beach access have added taxes and regulation to keep spring break tourists away. The cost of those tourists was too high.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/3/florida-sprin...

rayiner9y ago

Almost everyone is a net benefit for cities. That doesn't mean they should escape taxes.

jeffdavis9y ago

"Escape taxes" is a bit harsh. If the tourists are a net benefit, who cares if it's perfectly fair or not?

If you are really concerned about this inequity, you need to also consider the services that tourists don't use, such as schools, and most of the roads outside of tourist-trap areas.

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