D.C. Council Votes to Keep ‘Yoga Tax'

D.C. yogis will have to shell out a few more dollars to practice their downward dog. 

The D.C. Council voted 9-4 to keep the yoga tax in its $10.6 billion budget on Tuesday despite an amendment to eliminate the tax.

Councilmember David Catania, an independent who's running for mayor, is among those who opposed the nearly 6 percent sales tax, pledging to appeal the tax if he is elected mayor.

Mayor Vincent Gray was also against the new tax. But plenty of councilmembers supported the tax.

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In their final report, the D.C. Tax Revision Commission said expanding the sales tax to eight services in the District could generate over $28 million in its first year. Of those eight recommendations, the Council chose six.

The following services will be subject to the new tax starting Jan. 1, 2015:

  • Health clubs
  • Water delivery services
  • Storage lockers
  • Carpet cleaning
  • Car washes
  • Bowling and billiards

The budget also includes a substantial income tax cut, among other changes to the District's tax code. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has defended the plan, saying the overall tax burden for District of Columbia residents will decrease.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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