Reader opposes BPOL tax up for consideration

By Richard Nageotte Stafford
Published: June 12, 2008

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A BPOL tax will cost Stafford residents, not businesses. On July 1 at 7 p.m., the board of supervisors of Stafford County will consider adopting a Business, Professional and Occupational License Tax (BPOL tax). Those who suppost the tax claim it will not result in an increase in the cost of goods and services to Stafford County residents. These people do not understand basic economics. No business can survive unless it passes the cost of doing business including the taxes it pays on to its customers.

With gasoline at $4 a gallon and the increased cost of goods and services because of fuel prices, the last thing the residents of Stafford County need now is to pay more for the goods and services they buy in Stafford because of a BPOL tax.

The BPOL tax will result in business failures, loss of jobs and Stafford County’s inability to attract new businesses. Stafford County’s businessses already pay more than their fare share of taxes and they don’t use ball fields and they don’t put children in our schools.

I urge all citizens, business owners and professionals to attend the public hearing on July 1 at 7 p.m. at the board of supervisors’ chambers and speak in opposition to this tax. In the meantime, call and write your supervisor and express your oppposition. You can obtain the telephone number and address of your supervisor on the Internet at co.stafford.va.us.Departments or by calling the Stafford administtraion office at (540) 658-8603.