Taxes on gross receipts originated in Europe as early as the 13 th century. The History and Resurgence of Gross Receipts Taxes Taxes on gross receipts generate economic distortions and impose costs in excess of their perceived benefits. Proponents of these taxes make arguments that may seem compelling to policymakers looking for stable and large revenue sources, but this comes with a Faustian bargain. This paper will provide historical context on gross receipts taxes, a discussion of the allure they carry with policymakers, and their economic costs and consequences. While gross receipts taxes have been a tempting source of revenue for states and municipalities, they impose significant costs on the firms, consumers, and workers. Known as “turnover taxes,” gross receipts taxes are a form of business taxation. Having fallen out of favor in the mid-20th century, gross receipts taxes are making a comeback across the country to raise revenue. Unlike a sales tax, gross receipts taxes apply to business-to-business transactions in addition to final consumer purchases. They are not adjusted for a business’ profit levels or expenses and apply to all transactions a business makes. Unlike a corporate income tax, these taxes apply to the firm’s sales without deductions for a firm’s costs. Gross receipts taxes are applied to receipts from a firm’s total sales. In addition, states should consider reforms to their corporate income tax bases. Well-structured sales taxes can provide reliable revenue with fewer economic costs. States should consider alternatives to gross receipts taxes given the economic distortions they impose, their lack of transparency, and their complexity in practice.Efforts to mitigate the negative effects of gross receipts taxes, such as creating multiple rates for different industries, often increase the tax’s complexity, negating one of the primary reasons given to enact the tax.Other job opportunities may be limited as well. Some firms may lower wages to accommodate the tax, reducing incomes. Prices rise as the tax is shifted onto consumers, impacting those with lower incomes the most. Gross receipts taxes impose costs on consumers, workers, and shareholders.Startups and entrepreneurs, who typically post losses in early years, may have difficulty paying their tax liability. Gross receipts taxes impact firms with low profit margins and high production volumes, as the tax does not account for a business’ costs of production.This distorts economic decision-making, incentivizing firms to vertically integrate, change industries, and leave the taxing jurisdiction. The same economic value is taxed multiple times-once during each transaction through the stages of production-which compounds the tax’s economic effects. Business-to-business transactions are not exempt from gross receipts taxes, which creates tax pyramiding.Proponents argue that gross receipts taxes are simpler to administer and calculate than corporate income taxes. Taxes on gross receipts are enticing to policymakers because the broad tax base brings a large, stable source of revenue to state governments.Five states impose gross receipts taxes statewide, while eight more considered proposals to enact a gross receipts tax over the past two years. Their appeal comes as many states are looking to replace revenue lost by eroding corporate income tax bases and as a way to limit revenue volatility. Gross receipts taxes, also known as “turnover taxes,” have returned as a revenue option for policymakers after being dismissed for decades as inefficient and unsound tax policy.
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