Tax season's here again

The annual April 15 deadline to have your taxes in is approaching quickly. Those who were able to get theirs done early have likely seen their returns swell their bank accounts before the money is put toward bills or, if you’re really lucky, a trip or something else that’s a bit more fun.

Those of us who have waited, or are still waiting, to file the paperwork might be feeling a bit stressed out in making sure we have everything ready to go for the accountant, or sent to some online site for processing. Sure extensions can be requested, but that only delays the return as well.

This tax season is significant for another reason, and one that has caused stress of its own this past year, as April is the first month to see the one percent specific purpose tax.

The tax was voted in during the election in November, and it adds an additional penny to purchases within the county, with the total sales tax now at six percent. That money supports the hospital district — another ballot measure voted in — as well as the expansion of the hospital and remodeling of the current structure.

Whether you were for or against the sales tax when it came to election time — and there were strong arguments for either side — the fact remains that it’s here now and, based on the price tag for the hospital improvements, could be here for quite some time.

While $16.4 million was the price tacked onto the full renovation of the hospital, and many have stated the new tax would go away once that amount is generated, at a recent meeting of the hospital board it was pointed out that amount doesn’t cover capital purchases.

It’s been suggested the money for capital purchases be added to the capital budget over the course of several years, so the money is there when it’s time to buy the equipment, but it raises the question as to just how long this new tax will be with us.

True, a one percent tax — essentially bringing the rate to six percent, or six cents on every dollar — isn’t really that noticeable, particularly since most counties in Wyoming have a rate of around five percent, it remains to be seen as to whether this tax will eventually go away or, as costs for materials, equipment, upkeep and staffing for the hospital improvements fluctuate, this new tax will simply become an accepted part — and cost — of having a quality hospital in our community.