COLUMBIA, SC – State Senator Katrina Shealy (R-Lexington) pre-filed a bill this week that would eliminate the state income tax.
Unlike other states who have replaced the state income tax with a higher sales tax, Shealy’s pre-filed bill would phase out the income tax over a seven year period without burdening South Carolina residents with an increase in other taxes. The bill reduces the income tax rates 1.4 percent each year until the income tax is eliminated entirely for all tax brackets.
According to Senate Majority Leader’s Research Director, this bill would allow South Carolinians to keep nearly $560 million in its first year. And, at the suggestion of DOR, the bill adjusts the way to calculate the amount of income tax owed to make it easier for the taxpayers and more accurate for the state to check.
After pre-filing the bill, Shealy said:
“When I was elected, I made a commitment to the people of South Carolina that I would work to eliminate the state income tax, make government smaller and more efficient, and help all South Carolinians keep more of their hard-earned money. This bill has the potential to accomplish all of these things.
“This bill can help ease the burdens South Carolina families may be facing in these tough times. This bill could allow small business owners in South Carolina to keep more of their hard-earned income and, in turn, give them a greater opportunity to reinvest in their businesses and hire more employees. And, this bill can make South Carolina a more desired place to relocate and start businesses. Doing this will grow our state’s economy and bring more revenue to our state.
“States with no income tax are booming economically and are tops in the nation with the right statistics. We cannot wait any longer to improve South Carolina and be at the top of the national rankings. We must take bold steps to help our residents and lead the nation; this bill is one of those bold steps.”
20 comments
I wish Katrina would be more honest about her bill. The rest of the legislature would never cut the spending necessary to pay for this tax cut, and what spending they would cut wouldn’t come from what benefits them. It would be an inevitability to taxes to go up elsewhere.
When the inevitable tax increase would come, she would be able to take no responsibility for it, so I guess that’s all that matters to her.
If Katrina is going by Texas or Florida as a role model, she needs to remember Texas and Florida’s economies are strong for much bigger reasons than whether or not they assess state income tax. When our tourism industry is as booming as Florida’s, or when we start being a major oil state, let me know.
@Karl Smirx
You probably said the same thing about the Confederacy’s flag on the statehouse. A bi-partisan vote took the flag down. A bi-partisan vote can ease taxation in South Carolina. As a small business owner facing the Obamacare tax, I can not only see Sen Katrina’s bill working for SC’s businesses, I see SC Senator Katrina’s working for all of South Carolinia, not the other way around.
Don’t be such a sour puss, and in your vernacular, Merry Holiday’s. To everyone else, Merry Christmas!!! See you next year. Going on vacation. Happy New Year!!!
So long Thomas Glenn Beck
this is EXACTLY like taking the flag down off the statehouse. So long as we have a bipartisan coalition, erasing half of the state’s budget along with the matching funding that comes with it will have no negative real world implications so long as we have a bipartisan coalition voting for it.
Shealy wants state government to get smaller. Think she will suggest reducing the budget at DHEC by eliminating her sister’s job?
Why would you reduce an agency by the only employee that actually works?? Lisa is that you?
this lady is smoking too much weed
Is every politician from Lexington nuts? Or does it just appear that way.
It’s not the Lexington politicians we need to worry about.
There are only a handful of them.
It’s the thousands of Lexington voters running around loose that should give us pause.
The crazies are both Lexington voters and their politicians.
Shealy can be now be added the Lexington crazy politician list that includes Jake Knotts and Curtis Loftis.
Must be something in the water in Lexington……………….
Everyone that lives West of the Congaree/Broad is nuts. Ever been in the traffic going out 378 or 26 at 5:30?
If you are not going to replace the revenue you must say what you propose to cut. Saying cut taxes is only 1/2 of a plan. If you truly believe in this bill tell us what you will cut in spending. Otherwise you are just another lying Republican.
Would someone bring me a bottle of what she’s been drinking? I’m about to sweep the elephants’ barn.
Lol, she said “my husband’s business has had to go without because he hasnt made a profit in 2 years, and now state government will have to also” This is so awesome how her mind works – so perhaps we should be thankful he husband’s business hasn’t been going gangbusters bringing in money hand over fist for the past two years – or apparently she’d be filling a bill to triple the state income tax? What an amazing idiot.
Maybe you should learn to read – that isn’t what the article said at all. Guess you went to SC public schools!
Einstein – that’s a quote by Senator Shealy from the State paper at a Press conference she had about the bill. There are other news sources than FITS – sorry private school taught u so little? U and Katrina’s brain power together could likely toast a piece of bread – lightly.
Never mind, I just realized, if FITS doesnt report it – it didnt happen -hey in your world what color is the sky?
Mr. Your Killing Me – you stupidity is so amazing and unabashed, I’m actually pretty damned impressed by you – it must be very easy for u to win debates since the dissenters are OBVIOUSLY wrong since they have to stick to your opinion and facts and see if they can prove you wrong.
Wow, just wow, your entire world view is limited to what FITS says. I’m going to get you a brain for Christmas – please let me know your mailing addressed
“You are killing” got 100% ‘p-owned’ as FITS would say and didn’t respond back?
But what was there really to say – he/she went off half cocked, with no clue as to what he/she was talking about. “Look ma’ no brains.” Bwahahahaha