NFIB, Tennessee’s leading small business advocacy organization, applauded Gov. Bill Lee today for signing legislation eliminating the tax on small gyms and yoga and barre studios across Tennessee.
“By signing Senate Bill 960/House Bill 1138, the governor puts small gyms on a level playing field with large gyms over 15,000 square feet that have been exempted from paying the nearly 10 percent amusement tax on membership dues and fees since 1986,” NFIB State Director Jim Brown said. The bill becomes law July 1.
“Thanks to Governor Bill Lee and great leadership from members of the Tennessee General Assembly, tax fairness for small gym owners and their customers is now a reality,” Brown said. “NFIB also thanks the 5,500 Tennesseans who made personal visits and calls to their elected officials and sent 50,000 emails to legislators to ‘Toss the Tax.’ It was a tremendous grassroots effort that will have a positive impact. Tax-free workouts will help promote a healthier workforce and less absenteeism, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and strain on our overburdened healthcare system.”
“I’m pleased to be able to include a tax cut in my first budget,” said Governor Lee, who signed the bill in Midtown Nashville at an Orangetheory Fitness with more than a dozen fitness studio owners in attendance. “Repealing the gym tax is an important step in reducing the burdens on small businesses in our state.”
Brown said several lawmakers the last two years were instrumental in tossing the tax. This year, bill sponsors Sen. Richard Briggs (Knoxville) and Rep. Charlie Baum (Murfreesboro) made great presentations of the legislation throughout the process. Senators Jack Johnson, Steve Dickerson and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and Representatives Mark White, Martin Daniel, Andy Holt, Susan Lynn, John Ray Clemmons, William Lamberth, and House Speaker Glen Casada also helped greatly throughout the bipartisan process. Last year, Senator Mark Norris and Rep. Ron Lollar, who passed last summer, helped advance the legislation and raise awareness on the issue.
