What’s the scoop on the tanning tax?
Since July 1, 2010, there has been a ten percent excise tax on indoor tanning services. This means that tanning booths and tanning beds are taxed, but spray tans and tanning lotions are not. The tax is designed to raise revenue for the federal government and is expected to raise $2.7 billion over the next ten years. It was passed as part of Obama’s health care bill.
What’s the impact of the tax?
First and foremost, the tax makes tanning more expensive. An average thirty minute tanning session costs $15 – $20, according to CNN, which means the tax adds an additional $1.50 – $2.00. While that might not seem like much at first, the money quickly adds up. A weekly trip to the tanning salon could now cost upwards of $100 per year in taxes alone.
While the additional cost might not deter some tanners, the tax could be enough to make tanning too expensive for others. Ultimately, this translates to small salons across the country suffering and losing business.
You might be surprised to hear who’s ditched indoor tanning – that’s right, Snooki. She announced, “I don’t go tanning anymore because Obama put a 10 percent tax on tanning. He did that because of us. McCain would never put a 10 percent tax on tanning. Because he’s pale and he’d probably want to be tan.” Politics aside, if Snooki can swap indoor tanning for an alternative method, you know that anyone can. (McCain tweeted, “@Snooki: u r right, I would never tax your tanning bed! Pres Obama’s tax/spend policy is quite The Situation. but I do rec wearing sunscreen!”)
What does the HC Team have to say?
“I still tan even though there is an increase in the tax, however, I know a lot of people that have stopped tanning because of the increase and started spray tanning instead. I still tan because I enjoy going tanning. I have tanned since high school and it relaxes me in a way- the 10% tax increase makes it more expensive but being on a college campus right now, places have deals which help.” – Deanna Kerns, University of Iowa, Her Campus Branch Manager and Her Campus Iowa Contributing Writer
“I have a feeling that the tax won’t stop the people that already tan, but it might deter people that are considering starting to tan.” – Lynda Lopez, University of Chicago, UChicago Campus Correspondant
“Personally, I don’t mind the tax, because a) our country needs as much money as it can get and taxing tanning salons is way better than reducing funding for schools and b) I think there’s an overemphasis on being tan anyways. Personally, I think it’s silly that people feel a need to be bronze in the middle of a Boston winter (myself included) and hopefully this task encourages people to embrace their paleness and prevent skin cancer!” – Nikki Fig, Emerson University, Her Campus Branch Manager and Editorial Intern
“I actually did some research on this in high school and kind of analyzed the trends of tanning in my high school and I found that often times the tanning tax didn’t have an affect on their decisions. Personally, I don’t feel as though 10% is going to hurt me financially so I still do it every once and a while to keep a healthy glow.” – Marissa Villegas, University of Vermont, UVM Campus Correspondant
What do you think? Do you tan? Does the tax deter you from tanning, or are you willing to pay a little extra?