Guest Post – Dan Daily

Honorably discharged veterans now qualify for shopping online at military exchanges (retail & some services). Active duty and National Guard already use this shopping. The full service starts November 11 but there’s ‘beta tests’ at present. If you’re a vet, go to VetVerify.org. There’s typically a 20 percent DISCOUNT with special arrangements for major purchases (appliances/cars). Prices are not posted until you’re logged in securely. NO SALES TAX.

Given South Dakota government is principally supported by sales tax, there’s significant budget repercussion. The state is 860K with 68K veterans. Veteran dependents can use the service such that there is potential for more than 100K total customers. Retail sales could decline 10% or more at first with awareness potential for 15% by 2020. Reporting is exempt. Some shopping sites let you fill in false information and make purchases.

www.shopmyexchange.com

www.shopcgx.com

www.mymcx.com

Sales were focused more on the two major cities in the state. Internet sales is why there are so many empty store fronts.

Sioux Falls has had and (because of this) will continue having revenue short falls. It’s more than just Amazon and other tax free online purchases. There are signs the booming economy is over. It will be harder to make bond payments on the half billion in debt. This is not a time for play places, admin buildings, or parking garages. It’s important to amend the charter so there’s no strong mayor veto power and no council overrides. Take away the mayors’ credit card and put him on an allowance.

Thank you South Dacola for this blog site. This information doesn’t get reported by the media and certainly not as a local government public service announcement.

7 Thoughts on “Veterans: Discounts and Sales Tax

  1. Sales tax collection as a viable form of taxation in the information age with a collapsing middle class is no doubt becoming increasingly challenged. And I think its final collapse will be large and sudden, but I wonder if our political leaders are really ready for this inevitability? And when it happens, the value of such a tax system will quickly become as viable as a video store in the age of Netflix. And this inevitability, given our great dependence upon this form of taxation in the absence of a state income tax, should be our number one concern next year, regardless of ones political affiliation, when each of us pick our choice for the next governor. So who do you all want to handle this pending crisis? Jackley, Noem, Sutton, Lowe, or Huether…. or someone else?

  2. Warren Phear on July 3, 2017 at 7:04 am said:

    I know little about Sutton and Lowe. I know enough about Jackley, Noem, and huether to pick someone else.

  3. Warren Phear on July 3, 2017 at 7:12 am said:

    Dan, thanks for the heads up on a veterans benefit. In the short run, a good thing. In the long run, this I know. Ronald Reagans chickens are coming home to roost. Not certain how to deal just yet with that reality.

  4. Jackalope on July 4, 2017 at 6:52 am said:

    It will not help that there is a boycott that is slowing growing against the state in regards to that SB-149 or whatever it is using taxpayer money to subsidize private adoption agencies that can choose to discriminate. The annual antic of the legislature with their anti-LGBT and whatever the new phantom menace excuse to discriminate is just adding to damage the image of the state. Miss of the North.

    The Boycott is growing evidently.

  5. The D@ily Spin on July 4, 2017 at 12:57 pm said:

    Considering city of Sioux Falls favoritism awarding noncompetitive insider contracts, I feel no guilt skirting sales tax. Huether projects are flagrant splurges benefiting the rich. Meanwhile, average Joe lives in a booming economy with lack of city infrastructure and services. Joe’s neighborhood becomes pawn and payday loan shops. The unconstitutional city charter prevents zoning enforcement and promotes political corruption. Major debt and revenue decline cuts off their water so they’ll focus on providing your water.

  6. More than a little ironic that most who want an income tax have no taxable income. Sure I’ll support a income tax After I retire. Freeloaders.

  7. Discrimination would be if the state only subsidized adoption agencies who do or don’t allow same sex couples. Nice work at cherry picking the facts.

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