Salisbury Area Chamber rallies opposition to HB1515 to raise taxes on service sector businesses

MARYLAND –  The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce is coming out in opposition to a newly proposed bill the revamp Maryland tax code, in the name of closing the state’s 2.9 billion dollar deficit.

The bill would lower the state’s sales tax to 5 percent but at the cost of incorporating a litany of new businesses under that new 5 percent tax structure, including service sector businesses such as child care, tax preparation, real estate, and other financial service providers.

Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce President Bill Chambers says the bill would do more than just punish businesses, it would push consumers to national companies that provide many of these services online and would hurt the state’s long-term growth.

“It’s horrible public policy. It is a complete snub to small businesses across the state of Maryland, and a complete lack of respect for mom-and-pop businesses, which make up 80% of the business climate in this state. And consumers are smart. This is a regressive tax. They will find a way to avoid it,” said SAal