Jasper Sales Tax Is Six Percent

Citizens for the Continuation of SPLOST and many other Jasperites were surprised last week to learn that sales tax collections in Jasper County will be at the rate of six percent or six cents on the dollar for the next quarter.

Citizens for the Continuation of SPLOST was a group of private citizens who accepted the challenge last year to promote a new Special Purpose Local Option Sales (SPLOST) Tax and educate citizens about the benefits of the tax.

It was promoted as a continuation, and every reference to the tax indicated it would be a “seamless” transition from the SPLOST that ended December 31. Jasper County consumers were already paying seven percent sales tax, and the indication was that they would continue to pay that rate. The sales tax vote passed by nearly 65 percent.

However, apparently everyone involved merely assumed that a November vote would assure the tax could continue in January, and no one actually checked it out. County Manager Greg Williams said that the commission learned in December that the tax would not go into effect in January.
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Retailers apparently received their first notification in December, and another bulletin was sent out for delivery January 2-9. Jasper is one of seven counties whose rates changed January 1.

A random check of local merchants last week found some still charging seven percent, but the larger retailers, such as Ingles, had already changed to the new rate.

The law requires that a new or continuation of any sales tax be approved 80 days prior to it taking effect. Jasperites voted on November 8, therefore there was not enough time for the tax to take effect January 1, as promoted.

Jonathan Ussery, a representative of the Department of Revenue, Local Government Services Division, said that occasionally exceptions are made to the 80 day rule, but those are only made by the commissioner. In addition, Mr. Ussery indicated it is only in cases of extreme need, and when the commissioner is made aware of the concern in advance.

Mr. Ussery said the sales tax rates are sent to the printer in early November.

Several local SPLOST committee members were contacted last week and very disappointed to learn that the new tax did not take effect January 1 as they had thought.

The SPLOST approved by voters will take effect April 1, when the local sales tax rate will go back up to 7 percent.