Not everyone cared about a provision in health reform’s Affordable Care Act that imposed a tax on tanning salons.
Snooki and her Jersey Shore friends cared.
Reportedly, so much so that Snooki was quoted as saying ~
“I don’t go tanning tanning anymore because Obama put a 10 percent tax on tanning. And I feel he did that intentionally for us.”
MTV episode of Jersey Shore
That’s not a typo. My guess is “tanning tanning” in Snooki’s world is real tanning – a.k.a. tanning beds – versus tanning sprays.
Apparently, President Obama didn’t do too much damage to Snooki as she now has a line of tanning products for sale.
Snooki may be glad to know that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a final rule on the tanning tax.
With a controversial twist in the rule, Snooki and others can get tan and fit (a contradiction in terms, I know) without a tax.
The Tax That Burned
Effective in July 2010, the regulations were temporary and added a 10 percent excise tax on indoor tanning services.
The tanning industry (and perhaps Snooki) hoped the regulation would go away. However, on June 10, 2013, the IRS finalized the regulation.
If tanning salons were hot about the temporary legislation, one exclusion really burned them.
The regulation excluded fees paid to a qualified physical fitness facility from the 10 percent tax, with a few caveats.
- Tanning services cannot be a substantial part of the facility’s business
- The facility cannot sell tanning services to the public
- The facility also cannot offer different pricing options for members to access tanning services
Sounds like the fitness centers had better lobbyists.
While critics of the temporary rule pushed hard for repeal, the rule became permanent.
Non-Taxing Tan
Snooki had the right idea on avoiding the tanning tax.
She switched to spray tans – although the Skin Cancer organization claims to know the real reason for the switch.
With the exclusion in place, another way to crisp your skin is to sign up for a fitness center with tanning beds or if the service meets the definition of phototherapy services, you are also free from the excise tax.
As someone diagnosed with skin cancer (from the sun source, not a tanning bed), I’ll keep my supply of sunscreen.
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Notice of Disclaimer –Cathy Miller is not an attorney or health care provider and cannot provide legal or health care advice. The information provided is for your general background only, and is not intended to constitute legal or health care advice as to your specific circumstances. We recommend you review legislation with legal counsel and visit your physician for health care issues.
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