Sales Tax

Despite all the commerce taking place in Anchorage on Black Friday, the city didn’t collect a cent in sales tax. That's how it's always been, but Anchorage Assembly member Chris Birch wants to make it easier for local voters to approve a sales tax. Birch says the idea stems from the community budget dialogues the city held this summer, and is intended to give property-tax payers a break. “We really need to have some alternatives to having the property-tax payer bear all those costs,” Birch said.

Shoppers in Wasilla will be paying a little less for purchases starting Thursday. At businesses, like Pandemonium Books and Café in Wasilla, customers will be charged a little less at the register. The sales tax is set to drop from two-and-a-half percent to just two percent. "It's very exciting; I always think it's sort of a miracle if sales tax goes down. So I'm impressed that we're pulling off something like that rather than just having to continue to go up," said Shannon Cullip, Owner of Pandemonium Books and Café.

by The Associated Press Monday, June 14, 2010 KODIAK, Alaska -- The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly may ask shoppers and boat owners to help pay for increases in the cost of municipal government. A discussion last week on alternative ways to pay for Kodiak High School expansion led to assembly members asking staff to investigate a sales tax of 1 to 2 percent. Members also requested information on smaller tax increase -- another $1 added to the existing $1-per-foot tax on boats.

by Channel 2 News staff Tuesday, August 4, 2009 Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct the official poll question. ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- In a poll conducted by Channel 2 News, respondents were asked how the city should make up its budget shortfall. A majority of respondents favored implementing a sales tax, either full time or during summer only. Here is the official question and results of the 681 people who voted. How should the city make up its budget shortfall?

The Anchorage Assembly introduced a proposed increase in the city's tobacco tax Tuesday night as a way to ease the burden on property taxpayers -- but there’s also growing talk about proposing a sales tax to help accomplish the same objective. Local voters have defeated sales taxes in the past, but one Assembly member wants to have some frank talks with the community about trying to implement one again. To customers at Kaladi Brothers Coffee, tax-free costs are sound math: buy a dollar’s worth of coffee, pay a dollar.

by Jackie Bartz Saturday, March 20, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Anchorage Assembly's Community and Economic Committee wants to know how our taxes stack up against other cities, and the results of a study it commissioned are in. The study compared Anchorage to the biggest cities in all 50 states. Local CPA Dan Dickinson says the study shows Anchorage residents are the least taxed, but he says because the city only has a property tax it's one of the highest in the country.

Name: Ron Alleva     Occupation: Auctioneer, Real Estate Broker. Personal Property Appraiser, Utility Owner Website: www.alleva4assembly.com Registered Political Party: None Last book you read: The Checklist Manifesto Favorite movie: The Count of Monte Cristo Why are you running for the Anchorage Assembly?:   To raise issues and to inspire others to more fully participate in civic discourse and to exercise their civic duty.

Name: Bob Lupo Occupation: Retired U.S. Army, with service in U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Alaska Army National Guard. (Vietnam and Desert Storm time periods). Registered Political Party: Veterans Party of Alaska (Chair) Last book you read: Gun Digest Favorite movie: "Being there. " Why are you running for the Anchorage Assembly?: I am 70 years old. I have served my country and I have served my state; now I would like to serve my city.

by Jason Lamb Tuesday, March 30, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Three candidates are running for one of the Anchorage Assembly's East Anchorage seats, each hoping to replace outgoing member Sheila Selkregg. Paul Honeman is a retired Anchorage police lieutenant and former mayoral candidate. "No one in the municipal Assembly at this point has been a long-term city employee, particularly in the area of law enforcement," Honeman said. "I think that the public-safety perspective is one of the staples of the core three services.

Name: Peter Olsen Occupation: Vice President, OfficeTECH, Inc. (family Xerox Sales Dealership business) Website: www.peter-olsen.com Registered Political Party: Democrat Last book you read: Tick Tock by James Patterson Favorite movie: Gran Torino (Clint Eastwood) Why are you running for the Anchorage Assembly?: I've lived in Anchorage for a long time and I think I can contribute something positive to the residents.

Name: Peter Olsen Occupation: Vice President, OfficeTECH, Inc. (family Xerox Sales Dealership business) Website: www.peter-olsen.com Registered Political Party: Democrat Last book you read: Tick Tock by James Patterson Favorite movie: Gran Torino (Clint Eastwood) Why are you running for the Anchorage Assembly?: I've lived in Anchorage for a long time and I think I can contribute something positive to the residents.

Name: Bob Lupo Occupation: Retired U.S. Army, with service in U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Alaska Army National Guard. (Vietnam and Desert Storm time periods). Registered Political Party: Veterans Party of Alaska (Chair) Last book you read: Gun Digest Favorite movie: "Being there. " Why are you running for the Anchorage Assembly?: I am 70 years old. I have served my country and I have served my state; now I would like to serve my city.

Name: Ron Alleva     Occupation: Auctioneer, Real Estate Broker. Personal Property Appraiser, Utility Owner Website: www.alleva4assembly.com Registered Political Party: None Last book you read: The Checklist Manifesto Favorite movie: The Count of Monte Cristo Why are you running for the Anchorage Assembly?:   To raise issues and to inspire others to more fully participate in civic discourse and to exercise their civic duty.

Despite all the commerce taking place in Anchorage on Black Friday, the city didn’t collect a cent in sales tax. That's how it's always been, but Anchorage Assembly member Chris Birch wants to make it easier for local voters to approve a sales tax. Birch says the idea stems from the community budget dialogues the city held this summer, and is intended to give property-tax payers a break. “We really need to have some alternatives to having the property-tax payer bear all those costs,” Birch said.

The Anchorage Assembly introduced a proposed increase in the city's tobacco tax Tuesday night as a way to ease the burden on property taxpayers -- but there’s also growing talk about proposing a sales tax to help accomplish the same objective. Local voters have defeated sales taxes in the past, but one Assembly member wants to have some frank talks with the community about trying to implement one again. To customers at Kaladi Brothers Coffee, tax-free costs are sound math: buy a dollar’s worth of coffee, pay a dollar.

Shoppers in Wasilla will be paying a little less for purchases starting Thursday. At businesses, like Pandemonium Books and Café in Wasilla, customers will be charged a little less at the register. The sales tax is set to drop from two-and-a-half percent to just two percent. "It's very exciting; I always think it's sort of a miracle if sales tax goes down. So I'm impressed that we're pulling off something like that rather than just having to continue to go up," said Shannon Cullip, Owner of Pandemonium Books and Café.

by The Associated Press Monday, June 14, 2010 KODIAK, Alaska -- The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly may ask shoppers and boat owners to help pay for increases in the cost of municipal government. A discussion last week on alternative ways to pay for Kodiak High School expansion led to assembly members asking staff to investigate a sales tax of 1 to 2 percent. Members also requested information on smaller tax increase -- another $1 added to the existing $1-per-foot tax on boats.

by Jason Lamb Tuesday, March 30, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Three candidates are running for one of the Anchorage Assembly's East Anchorage seats, each hoping to replace outgoing member Sheila Selkregg. Paul Honeman is a retired Anchorage police lieutenant and former mayoral candidate. "No one in the municipal Assembly at this point has been a long-term city employee, particularly in the area of law enforcement," Honeman said. "I think that the public-safety perspective is one of the staples of the core three services.

by Jackie Bartz Saturday, March 20, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Anchorage Assembly's Community and Economic Committee wants to know how our taxes stack up against other cities, and the results of a study it commissioned are in. The study compared Anchorage to the biggest cities in all 50 states. Local CPA Dan Dickinson says the study shows Anchorage residents are the least taxed, but he says because the city only has a property tax it's one of the highest in the country.

by Channel 2 News staff Tuesday, August 4, 2009 Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct the official poll question. ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- In a poll conducted by Channel 2 News, respondents were asked how the city should make up its budget shortfall. A majority of respondents favored implementing a sales tax, either full time or during summer only. Here is the official question and results of the 681 people who voted. How should the city make up its budget shortfall?