Little bit of sales tax mounts up

To the editor;

We own a small business that collects sales tax on the merchandise we sell. By state law, we get to keep part of the sales tax we collect. While the amount our business keeps is relatively small, the total amount kept by all Missouri businesses is close to $33 million. Our business, like most, is computerized. It takes just a few minutes each month to complete the sales-tax form and send a check to the state. I calculated that the state is paying us over $800 an hour based on the amount we keep and the time it takes to process the form.

I question whether it is morally right to keep the sales tax when others are losing services due to the state's budget problems. I have decided that keeping part of the sales tax is not doing justice for others. Some people may see this matter differently, but we have decided to send 100 percent of the sales tax we collect to the state. Our decision will not significantly affect the profit margin of our business, and it will not make much difference for the state budget. But, for us, it is the just thing to do.

GARLAND LAND, Jefferson City, Mo.