Sales tax issue

To the editor:

For over 10 years I have worked with a local legislator to change Kansas tax laws. Last year, legislation was passed giving key judicial branch members a decent pay raise, and, before that, Highway Patrol troopers received increases. Now, Kansans need a tax break on vehicle sales tax.

Current law states that when you sell a vehicle, you only get a sales tax break if you trade the vehicle in to a car dealer. The buyer pays sales tax on the difference between the two vehicles. The car dealer also only gives you low wholesale value for your vehicle. If the buyer decides to sell the vehicle in the newspaper, there is no tax break.

Missouri sales tax laws are much better. Whether you trade in a vehicle (automobile, boat, motorcycle or trailer) or sell it outright, you have a 180 days to complete the transaction to get a sales tax credit for the difference between the two vehicles’ sales tax. Example: Purchase a new $30,000 truck and at the same time, sell your old truck for $15,000 in the local newspaper; you have 180 days to complete the transaction and get the sales tax credit.

This kind of sales tax law for Kansas could be financed by changing another outdated tax law involving used boat purchases from individuals. Currently, no sales tax is collected on these sales. Kansas is losing lots of sales tax revenue and is one of just a few states left that doesn’t title boats. Untitled boats leads to stolen boats easily being sold in Kansas.

Kenneth W. Fangohr,

Lawrence