As a resident or business owner the only factor to consider is the total out of packet dollars, total cost of living in the state. The politicians and media like to everyone excited about "rates" when what really matters is how many dollars in totality it costs to live here. This includes, sales, income, real estate tax, fees, workers comp, ........ Anything less than a total cost analysis only presents part of the story.

If fairness and consistency are the goal then eliminate sales tax on ALL services.

Why do farmers not pay sales tax when contractors must?

The sales and use tax in this state has never made sense to me. As a Massage Therapist, if I own my business, I am required to collect and pay, but if I work inside a chiro office, regardless of treatment, I do not have to charge it. At the chiro office, MTs are also exempt from the 2% medical tax- go figure!?! Just make it a flat tax on service, or get rid of it altogether, which we all know will never happen in MN.

"If you can't make it, someone else will" - yeah, and they'll be located in Wisconsin, Iowa, or any other state. Also, to say consumers don't care about sales tax is just dumb. Many people buy products online specifically to avoid sales tax.

@lawstar - I think you missed the point where it's generally considered bad policy and economics to only tax goods.

I run an outdoors company. With the current system, if I do lawn care work it is taxed. If I do snow removal work, it isn't taxed. It doesn't make sense to me.

My business is down 70% in the last 5 years because of the economy, margins are tight, add a sales tax and I gone. I will not qualify for unemployment since I am self employed. No safety net for me. Is this the reality for small independent business today?

Wait should I have my taxes lower or should I continue carrying the sales tax load or should other people contribute also so my sales tax will be lower and I'll get a cut in my property tax, Can anyone here tell me why its fair for me to continue carrying the total load .all these new taxes are taxes that most other states have.

starwmlewis Feb. 14, 13 10:54 PM My business is down 70% in the last 5 years because of the economy, margins are tight, add a sales tax and I gone. I will not qualify for unemployment since I am self employed. No safety net for me. Is this the reality for small independent business today?***************************The fact is that your type of businesses are being run and most states carrying the tax. If you can't make it because your paying your taxes then it's simple you can't make it.