Use tax is important for county and local retailers

On Tuesday, Scott County will ask voters to approve the out-of-state purchases "use" tax for the county. A "yes" vote is required for passage. There have been several news items referencing the "use" tax. Hopefully this letter will answer your questions or clear up any misconceptions.

The use tax applies to several different possible items that can be purchased out of state, but for comparison reasons, this letter will focus on vehicle purchases. For example, if you purchase a new or used vehicle from a dealer inside the boundaries of the state of Missouri, you pay sales tax at the rate of your taxing entity. If you would purchase the vehicle outside the boundaries of the state of Missouri, when you license that vehicle you would not have to pay the 1 percent tax because Scott County doesn't have a use tax approved by voters.

For years, use tax was collected similar to sales tax. When the vehicle was purchased outside state boundaries, the 1 percent tax was applied because the vehicle was to be used on county roads.

If you continue to purchase vehicles in the state of Missouri, there will not be any change to the way the tax is collected or assessed if the use tax passes or not. The only change will be for Scott County residents who purchase vehicles outside the state. The 1 percent county tax will be collected in the same way as purchases made inside of the state. The vast majority of people will see zero change in their taxes because the majority buys their vehicles locally or inside the state.

The use tax dollars Scott County collects will assure services are maintained at the level we are currently providing and Scott County citizens have become accustomed to. The biggest reason to vote "yes" is to support our local retailers who supply jobs for our friends, families and neighbors. When our children and grandchildren sell things such as yearbook ads, Girl Scout cookies and booster club chili tickets, we ask our local retailers to sponsor these fundraisers. In return, we should support them through our purchases.

To summarize, we should support Scott County and our state of Missouri by buying locally. Please vote "yes" on Tuesday to approve the out-of-state purchases use tax.

Jamie Burger is the presiding commissioner for the Scott County Commission, Dennis Ziegenhorn is the first district commissioner. Donnie Kiefer is the second district commissioner.