Schwarzenegger wants golf tax in California
Ask a former bodybuilding governor where to find some extra money and it’s no surprise he picks on the club-swinging girlie men.
Facing a $11 billion budget deficit, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a state golf tax. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that details of the plan are murky, but it sounds like a sales tax on greens fees.
The trouble is, golfers still don't know exactly what they're fighting because the proposal is written so vaguely. It says: Effective February 1, 2009, the sales and use tax rate will be applied to appliance and furniture repair, vehicle repair, golf, and veterinarian services. That rate would be 8.75 percent if the governor's proposed three-year sales tax increase of 1.5 percent also is passed.
Of course, the golf industry in California, and elsewhere, is struggling, as are most industries these days, and some in the business claim golf is being singled out as “a rich man’s sport.”
“I think it's a cheap shot,” said Rex Cole, general manager and director of golf at the Cottonwood Golf Course in El Cajon. “It's the wrong time right now. Golf courses are really struggling; golf professionals are struggling.”
If things get really bad, maybe Cole can ask the governor for a bailout.
Posted by: triston | Jan 29, 2009 12:14:23 PM
Yet another example of how diseased and utterly broken the system is. How about the novel idea of enforcing our borders and putting a handle on the illegal immigrants as it were. That right there would save billions if not right the deficit altogether.
Posted by: Gary Block | Jan 21, 2009 11:55:25 PM
Golf Sales Tax Situation (California)
January 21, 2009
Hi golfers:
It’s time to be heard.
We golfer’s are loyal taxpaying citizens of the State of California and we love the game (golf). It seems that our state budget is in crisis and “our” governor (Schwarzenegger), state senators and state congressman need to raise revenue (the word’s they & their & them will now refer to our governor and state legislators)
They want to tax our game (golf), not bowling, not horseback riding, not polo, not tennis,
not other recreational activities. Not pre-schools, not dog training, not dentist services, not physician services, etc. I might be wrong on some of these assumptions but my research on this matter is limited and I apologize if my non-taxing comment’s is inaccurate.
Although they want to raise revenue to balance the budget, we never hear from them about cutting their perks and benefits. I know they are trying to do their best in balancing the budget, but they are in denial about what they are costing the taxpayers for their salaries, pension plans, medical benefits, car allowances, secretaries, office rent, travel expenses, hotels, deferred compensation, and other compensation not included on their annual IRS wage statement (W-2). I think we need to shrink the cost of the Ca. government. I don’t know how to do it, but there are too many legislators making bad decisions (past and present) who need to be voted out of office. It’s too bad we do not have annual elections so we could get rid of the current legislators. I think we need to, reduce their benefits and freeze their salaries. I have purposely not used the language that would be appropriate in the 19th hole (bar room) discussion about this issue (sales tax on golf).
My 1st suggestion is to freeze all salaries on the state level.
My 2nd suggestion is to reduce the salaries of all state legislators by 20% (10% would not be enough)
My 3rd suggestion to reduce the cost of government payroll costs and benefits (Ca.) by placing all state employees’ wages subject to Social Security taxes and benefits. This would make the state employees pay social security taxes and reduce the cost to the State for pension and retirement benefits. This could humble our legislators and make them understand costs, budgets and discipline for constraining spending. I might be wrong on this but I think state employees are not subject to Social Security taxes.
My 4th suggestion is for the state is to renegotiate any and all contracts that were entered into with terms unfavorable to the state (Ca.). This is suggested because of the national sub-prime mortgage crisis where the issue of renegotiation was talked about. I.e. if they entered into a long term contract to buy gasoline at $4 per gallon when it is now selling @ $2 per gallon.
My 5th suggestion is for every golfer to get involved about this issue.
I know that a huge part of the budget is for welfare, police protection, fire protection, social services, etc. I am not all knowing or knowledgeable in all areas of state government but something needs to be done about the crisis that the past and present government has given us. Get involved. You can hit a hole in one by sending a message to Sacramento. Unfortunately I don’t have any web sites to refer you to.
Your cost of a round of golf could go up between 8% and 10%. If you play twice a week at a cost of $50 per round you could be paying an extra $8+ per week. This is over $400 per year. We are being targeted. Why?
Gary J. Block
garyblock@sbcglobal.net
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/nov/21/no-headline---back9askbob20/
Posted by: CR | Jan 21, 2009 8:01:43 PM
I play 60-70 rounds per year, mostly on muni courses. I purchase equipment, food, an occasional adult beverage, etc. If this tax comes in, I will simply stay at home, watch YouTube golf videos and not play or practice that amount that will offset the tax. I am really concerned now that courses will raise rates in addition to the tax.
Posted by: CR | Jan 21, 2009 8:00:14 PM
I play 60-70 rounds per year, mostly on muni courses. I purchase equipment, food, an occasional adult beverage, etc. If this tax comes in, I will simply stay at home, watch YouTube golf videos and not play or practice that amount that will offset the tax. I am really concerned now that courses will raise rates in addition to the tax.
Posted by: glenn | Jan 18, 2009 11:07:27 PM
What's the governor to do? Faced with a budget shortfall he asked the assembly to forward him a budget that works, and twice they sent him a budget 6 billion out of whack. He's getting no help from our elected representatives and now he's grabbing at straws.
It's ok to disagree on this tax, but the other 200 or so 'so called' politicians with him are absolutely no help. What other plans are being presented by others? None! Fire the lot of them and give Arny an assembly that works.
Posted by: Ron | Dec 4, 2008 1:34:07 PM
We're all being penalized because Schwarzeneggar didn't do his job. Instead of putting the state on a budgetary diet, he's taxing the daylights out of a few select industries that are already struggling. It is discriminatory taxation and absolutely un-American, but then, he's not a real American.
Posted by: William | Nov 30, 2008 1:15:22 PM
I would like to know when they are going to take the tax off from the San Francisco quake that was only to be for one year.
Posted by: k-wag | Nov 19, 2008 2:18:25 PM
I cannot believe CA is being hit by yet more another and restricting tax! Sure, tax golf -- but be fair: tax bowling, tennis, public swimming pools and other pay-by-the-game activities. So glad I moved away! My parents, elderly golfers on fixed incomes who can only afford to play muni courses, cannot possibly afford a golf tax. Get Real!
Posted by: king of hurts | Nov 18, 2008 9:00:50 PM
That's okay. Governator can go ahead with the golf tax as long he also imposes tax on moviegoers seeing the Governator's garbage movies.
Posted by: king of hurts | Nov 18, 2008 8:59:22 PM
That's okay. Governator can go ahead with the golf tax as long he also imposes tax on moviegoers seeing the Governator's garbage movies.
Posted by: Not DJ | Nov 18, 2008 5:45:41 PM
Ahnold thinks golf is for "girlie man," Ahnold can't fulfill campaign promise, Ahnold raise taxes on everything, Ahnold is republican.
Posted by: Paul | Nov 18, 2008 4:53:36 PM
Folks it never ends////
Posted by: hacker2 | Nov 18, 2008 3:57:03 PM
So sad for the golfers who live in California and those of us who love to come and play the great courses.
Such a beautiful state but such a poor governing body.
Come on over to Texas, we have great golf courses too with no sales taxes!
Posted by: Thiel | Nov 18, 2008 3:23:44 PM
I have been returning to CA every winter since I graduated 33 years ago to play golf. I will not be taxed. I will go to TX, SC or FL.
Give me a break!!!
Posted by: DJ | Nov 18, 2008 2:22:33 PM
We got rid of Davis and now we have the same problem with Schwarzenegger. The real problem is the far left wing State Legislature. The few Republicans in the Leg. fight every tax hike that is proposed but then are called "obstructionist" or worse. We pay close to the highest in state income tax in the country but it makes no difference. The mayors of the two largest cities are also ultra-liberal. Do not move here. It is truly a dump.
Posted by: Bryan | Nov 18, 2008 1:58:18 PM
I think this will hurt the local golf economy terribly. Golf is such a discretionary act that rounds are already down. Vacations to California (and the rounds played on those courses) are no doubt taking a hit. I think a "golf tax" is okay if you are willing to put it on only luxury greens fees such as Pebble Beach (maybe greens fees over $175 which is still a lot of courses in CA). If you are going to pay $500 to play a round of golf, another $10 should not be a problem. Don't single out the weekend golfer and the "average" courses trying to get by in a downturn.