Idaho Girl Scouts want end to Thin Mint tax
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — More money from the sale of Thin Mints and Tagalongs by Girl Scouts in Idaho would go back to troops under a tax break proposal making its way through the House.
The House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted Monday to introduce legislation to end the 6 percent state sales tax charged on Girl Scout cookies.
That tax — now at 22 cents per box — generates about $140,000 annually.
If the tax-break is approved, Girl Scout lobbyist Julie Hart said troops in central and southern Idaho would keep cookie prices at $3.75 per box. She said the scouts would use the extra money to support scholarships to help low-income girls take part in organization.
She said 48 other states already exempt the annual cookie sales from the state sales tax.
The House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted Monday to introduce legislation to end the 6 percent state sales tax charged on Girl Scout cookies.
That tax — now at 22 cents per box — generates about $140,000 annually.
If the tax-break is approved, Girl Scout lobbyist Julie Hart said troops in central and southern Idaho would keep cookie prices at $3.75 per box. She said the scouts would use the extra money to support scholarships to help low-income girls take part in organization.
She said 48 other states already exempt the annual cookie sales from the state sales tax.
I managed cookie sales for almost 25 years on a troop and service unit level. In all that time I never heard of money going to the national organization. The council uses their money to provide programs to girls and special events and training for leaders. The cookie company supplies all the materials to cover the sale, plus shipping to Idaho and then the council has to ship them from Boise.
The reports I read and hear seems to indicate that the tax money (6%) is included in the price of the cookies, When my daughters sold and I worked with the sales, the tax was never included in the sale price, it had to be added on. I don't understand where they say $ 140,000 will be returned or kept by the Girl Scouts. If they never collect it, they can't keep it. Girl Scouts of Silver Sage sells cookies in Oregon for the same base price as Idaho, but Idaho girls have to add the tax.
If I thought the local troops would actually see that 22 cents I would support this. Â Unfortunately, they won't see a penny. Â Each troop only receives 45 cents per box sold, if they meet their sales goals. Â The area service unit receives 1 cent per box. Â The council receives almost 50% and the rest goes to the national organization, manufacturing, shipping & other areas. Â I believe in scouting and choose to make a straight donation to the troop that will actually help the girls locally. Â This is one area of the organization where I feel they are taking advantage of our young girls.
The cookies are manufactured by an out of state company using out of state workers. The cookies are a 100% drain financially. Now they want to pay no sales tax. I guess the girl scouts don't support Idaho. I will never support the girl scouts again.