Steve Underhill

We absolutely must participate in the fight to protect our industry. Sitting on the sidelines with no voice is a decision that will haunt you.

We must remember that while we must be concerned, do not be so totally focused on these issues that you forget that it is time to be preparing for the new season that starts now.

What you do in the next few months will determine the level of success your salon will experience during the 2014 season.

__________________
Stephen Underhill
Consultant
steve@smuconsulting.com

seventiestannin

I called the NFIB about the taxes put on the tanning salons. I was told that I was the only person complaining. WOW! The regulations put on small business people has really gotten out of hand. The corporate shield does not help you if you can't pay the sales tax. The government will go after you personally and there is no discount.

Ken

Why would you be complaining now? The tan tax was part of the Affordable Care Act, passed 3.5 years ago. Did you complain then? And by the way, did you call, write, fax & email your 2 US Senators and your Congressperson back in December 2009 and early 2010? Did you ask your friends, neighbors, & relatives to help?

An inaction, just like an action has a consequence.

seventiestannin

Thank you for asking, Ken. I bought the tanning salon for my daughter in NJ. I ran tanning salons in Ohio for years. That is why it says NJ for me,here. I am also a landlord in Ohio so I have had many issues to deal with. For years I donated to the NFIB starting in the 90's I believe. At one point, I told them they were not representing the small business person well. I was told they were better than nothing. I really got hot about the issues as a landlord when I was assaulted by a criminal who was living in one of my houses and was not a tenant. That evening I got shot at in another rental house I owned. I contacted the Ohio rental association and asked that they draft a law that says people who have criminal records can't file housing complaints. I was told they could do little.
As for the tanning salon in NJ, I felt I was scammed on the purchase. My daughter turning things around and all was better, but the NJ tax and the Federal tax had a big effect and two hurricanes later well I had enough. As for my daughter, she asked why anyone who work for minimum wages and take on that kind or responsibility. So to answer your question in a nutshell, the answer is for years I have believed that most politicians are out of touch with reality and unless there are a lot of people complaining about the laws we are set up for crums while the people on top make most of the money. President Obama said it best. The cards are stacked against you. It's sad Obama became just like the rest of the politicians. Enclosing, sure some people in the tanning business will survive through all this and they will credit it on positive thinking, but I know otherwise. The rules play a much bigger role. And yes, I complained often and told everyone who ever knew me that it was not right how small business people are treated just as I posted here. I hope I have answered your question.

seventiestannin

The real reason I originally posted my reply is that I believe that we as small business people need to be informed about how the law works, not to complain about the taxes per sec. A notice I got said that if the corporation was in a trust, I might still be liable. No attorney ever tried to help me in this matter and I am trying to figure out why. Please do not say something dumb like you need to see an attorney. That is a crap shoot as for as I am concerned. The other reason I posted was to show the demise of the small business guy. I regularly visit the skill based gaming parlors in Ohio and I am impressed by how they fight people like Mike Dewine who's main goal is to shut them down. Are these places worse than the casinos in the state that Mike is not after? These are small business, remember. They are outstanding small businesses who feed their customers and serve them drinks for free. It's easier to win in these places and I am wondering if Mike is protecting the casinos.
As for their tactics, the parlors regularly hand out flyers with names and numbers of politicians to call. I have called everyone of them! The parlors who have been told to shut down any day have gathered signatures to have these parlor to be legalized and put on the ballet. Why can't the tanning salons do the same thing and have the tax repealed? Surely there is some answer to combat the terms that these politicians dish out

parrot head

As Obamacare is etched in stone. so is the Tan Tax.

peach

I have never heard of the federal government stopping a revenue stream once it is started. That is why I wasn't that hopped up about cheer leading for its repeal. It goes way deeper than the ACA. It is crony capitalism and it didn't begin with Obama. Our federal government has been out of control for quite some time now. Have you ever looked at the list of things that are subject to federal excise taxes? Pretty soon you will be paying excise taxes on the amount of air you breathed last quarter...

seventiestannin

Yup,
I agree. We should leave the tax on the people in the business who can least afford it and make sure the people who can afford it more are left alone.

peach

Who is John Galt...

seventiestannin

Before I go here, I would just like to express just how dangerous these taxes are. I am slowly dying from eating food and yet I also have another tax issue to deal with. This time its from Mike DeWine's office. Seems I had a business in 2002 that I remodelled and sold in a year and Mike says I owe him a new car for not paying my user taxes. Huh? Let me get this straight, I am being asked to pay for something11 years ago? Well, I thought this guy is nuts and disregarded the notice. Now, I got a second notice and it says I will be taken to court. So, I had to hire an accountant to deal with this issue. The accountant says that the business corporation was never closed. I told my previous accountant to close the corporation and I was assured that it was closed. Fortunately for me, I still had the paperwork for the sale. I was told by the second accountant that if the government wants to, they can go back many years.
I don't know who decided to tax with these sales taxes, but the tanning business would be better served if the taxes were put on the lamp manufactures.
Last night I stopped by a tanning salon and I was told that my former competitor, the type of guy everyone hates as a competitor, you know, the guy who charges nothing, stays in business and uses burner lamps was closing one of his stores. It appears to me, the tanning tax is having a very negative effect.
One final thought, about the lease you guys write about. I once reduced my lease 50%. After that, rumor has it that my landlord was charged for having 1 million in his freezer. So, I'll say it again, us small business guy are getting the short end of the stick