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President’s Column by Betty Ann Listowich, Norpine Landscape, Inc.
Each Spring, our industry brings hope. Hope to folks that love to start things by planting something in their lives that encourages them, soothes them; even enlightens them. Perhaps it’s something as small as a patio planter, or maybe something as wonderful as a shade lined yard or drive. Maybe a complex border filled with a variety of color and texture all year. Or perhaps the hope of a vegetable garden to sustain them through the coming months and into winter with its stores. By the time this will be in print in your hands,
you will have ‘survived’ that rush of hope from all regions of our state, but as I write this we are all in the throes of the spring craziness. Tink back to those May days when the phone kept ringing, hopeful customers coming through your doors to start some wonderful project of their own, or perhaps have you do it for them. Such energy with those warm sunny days of spring! We all love it, and sometimes hate it, as it piles up into a frenzied haste for us all due to the seasonality of our climate here.
Legislative News
New Tax Exemptions for Horticulture to take Effect July 1
Horticulture businesses should be aware of an opportunity to save some money on sales tax, effective July 1. Changes occurred during the 2012 legislative session to allow horticultural businesses to take advantage of sales tax exemptions on inputs and depreciable machinery/equipment. In the past these exemptions had been granted to other agricultural entities, but not businesses growing ornamental plants. Tis has now changed because a bill championed and advocated by MELNA changed the definition of commercial agriculture to now include all plants. Te sales tax exemptions cover two broad categories – 1. Inputs (such as seed, fertilizer, etc.) and; 2. Depreciable machinery and equipment & electricity. Tere are different requirements depending on whether you are looking for exemptions on inputs or equipment. Changes to the law can be found in sales tax bulletins (14 & 45) that pertain to these sections. Be aware that the bulletins had not been updated by Maine Revenue Services at the writing of this article, but the definition has changed so simply follow the directions included in the bulletins. Te updated bulletins should be available in mid- June.
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1. Inputs – complete an affidavit listing certain products from a specific vendor that are considered tax exempt and get the details from Bulletin 14
2. Depreciable machinery/equipment – apply and obtain a certificate of exemption from MRS and a completed affidavit and get the details from Bulletin 45
You must get a certificate of exemption prior to claiming any
exemptions! A couple of reminders: exemptions on tax on electricity must be electricity actually used in the commercial agricultural production; and there are some restrictions on items purchased with the exemption card. Here is a link to the sales tax bulletins. Click on Bulletin 14 and
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www.maine.gov/revenue/salesuse/salestax/bulletinssales.htm Tis opportunity is available to you starting July 1, 2013 so keep track of sales tax spent this year. If you have specific questions regarding process or what is tax exempt please contact Maine Revenue Service, Sales Tax Division at 207-624-9693, fax 287-6628, mail PO Box 9107, Augusta, ME 04332-9107, or email sales.tax@
maine.gov
Summer2013
We catch the fever, in hopes that we can capture the income from this and put it to productive use throughout the growing season. It’s wonderful that we can be a part of this energy that comes from life around us waking up to grow and nurture us all. Plants provide such a sense of health and place in our lives, not just because we grow and sell them, but because we love to be nurtured by them in our own time and place. How lucky we are to work with plants each day. And help folks enjoy them in their lives through our work. By now the dust is likely settling from your Spring
MELNA President Betty Ann Listowich,
Season rush, and the rich colors of summer are all around you. Take a moment to sit and enjoy the hope that is planted all around you, and be proud of what you are able to bring, with your knowledge and experience, into the lives of your customers. ~ ours is a noble profession!
need a
green thumb?
www.melna.org
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