Senator John Griesheimer, an automobile salesman for many years, wants to let people buy their cars, pay the sales taxes, and apply for their titles and license plates at the dealership at the time of purchase.
Dealers are not required in the bill to provide those services. And customers are not required to use those services if the dealer offers them.. Supporters say the bill would save customers additional trips to revenue department license offices.
One of the advantages Griesheimer sees to his plan is that people who might struggle to pay their sales taxes at a license fee office can roll the taxes into the amount they finance if the dealer offers licensing and tax collection services.
Senator Frank Barnitz of Lake Spring says people probably shouldn’t be buying a car on which they can’t afford to pay the sales tax. But Griesheimer says his plan will actually collect more sales taxes because many people try to use their temporary licenses well beyond the 30-day limit to avoid paying the taxes altogether.
The bill, SB363 has been sent to the House.
Here’s a link to the Senate Summary:
http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=771939
download the Barnitz/Griesheimer exchange (:24 mp3)
