A bill to repeal sales tax on groceries has yet to secure a hearing in the Idaho Capitol despite wide-spread legislative support.
Sen. Cliff Bayer, R-Meridan, is sponsoring legislation to repeal the sales tax on food. To offset the loss of tax revenue, the bill also seeks to eliminate the Grocery Tax Credit.
"Families and working Idahoans who need their money today would have it right away through the elimination of an unnecessary tax at the checkout line," Bayer said.
Washington, Nevada and Wyoming do not charge a sales tax on groceries. Oregon has no sales tax, and Utah taxes groceries at a reduced rate.
"I think it's important that we take this opportunity to help people with a regressive sales tax on a necessities issue like groceries," Sen. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, said.
Non-food items sold at grocery stores would still be subject to sales tax.
Bayer says the bill has 16 co-sponsors in the Senate and 32 co-sponsors in the House, yet, it has failed to secure an introductory hearing in a House or Senate committee.
