Alpha Graphics owner Edward Rothschild explains to viewers the difficulties in complying with Colorado’s sales and use tax
No one resonates more with elected officials than a small-business owner. Nearly nine in ten adults report a positive view of small businesses, according to Morning Consult, which notes, “These positive sentiments extend across party lines … Republicans (92% positive) and Democrats (90% positive) are united in their appreciation for small business.”
Says NFIB Colorado State Director Tony Gagliardi, “I can testify with the best research and support of coalitions in the world, but when I can call on the help of a small-business owner to tell our story, that makes a difference which can result in the passage or defeat of legislative proposals either helpful or harmful for Main Street. Kudos to NFIB-member Edward Rothschild for stepping up and speaking out.”
Rothschild was interviewed by NBC’s 9News in Denver about the difficulties in complying with the state’s sales and use tax system, a system Senate Bill 6 seeks to reform and NFIB is supporting.
“I am confident that many cities are not getting all the revenue. If the address is a new location we haven’t shipped to before, my manager or I have to go in and set that sales tax system up in our system, so it can be used in the future. It’s not a simple process,” Rothschild informed viewers on Channel 9’s Next With Kyle Clark.
“Just as an example, if I shipped letterhead to a business (in Brighton), I should have a sales tax license and be submitting the sales tax, but if I ship that letterhead once a year, for $100, it’s hardly worth my while to do that, so I don’t. And many businesses feel the same way,” said Rothschild in 9News’ online story.
Senate Bill 6 sailed out of the Colorado Senate on a 32-0 vote, and on September 11 passed its first House committee, 11-0. It now awaits action in the House Appropriations Committee. Should it become law, one of the measure’s objectives would be to eventually set up a system for retailers to fill in the blanks.
“This makes it easier because it’s a portal that the state will develop where we can get our license for all those communities,” added Rothschild, “we can submit all our taxes through that portal and that database will be simpler to use so that we can collect the right sales tax rate.”
You can see the Rothschild interview below, and for more information about how “confusing and convoluted” the state’s sales and use tax system is, check out this video of Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp’s presentation at last year’s NFIB Small Business Day at the Capitol. In it, she discusses who’s giving the push-back on reform, and how small-business owners are needed to help fight for reform.
