On the Site:

UNAFFORDABLE UTAH

Group calls for Utah to end sales tax on grocery food

Nov 24, 2021, 9:36 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2023, 1:32 pm

SALT LAKE CITY – A group of religious leaders, Democratic lawmakers and advocates gathered in Salt Lake City Wednesday afternoon to call for an end to Utah’s sales tax on grocery food.

“The Coalition of Religious Communities is here today to say that the amount of state taxes prescribed on groceries should be zero,” said Rev. Kimal James of the Ogden First United Methodist Church.

The speakers said that the tax burdens low-income families and emphasized that Utah is one of only about a dozen states to charge a sales tax on unprepared food.

“Families who are hurt most by this unfair are the working poor and families with fixed incomes,” said Rev. Vinnetta Golphin-Wilkerson of the Granger Community Christian Church.

Utah collects a 1.75% sales tax on grocery store food, which is lower than the standard sales tax of 4.85%


The group said with Utah’s economy doing so well and a budget surplus expected that it’s the right time to eliminate the tax.

“We’re asking our neighbors who represent us in the state legislature to do the right thing,” said Golphin-Wilkerson. “Do the right thing. Stop this tax on food. Do the right thing for Utah families.”

Democratic lawmakers who joined the press conference said they support a bill that Rep. Rosemary Lesser, D-Ogden, is sponsoring to get rid of the tax.

(KSL TV)

“You hear the Utah Legislature talk all the time about reducing taxes, making it easier for Utah families. Well, now we have an opportunity to do just that,” said Sen. Derek Kitchen, D-Salt Lake City.

In an opinion article in the Deseret News, Lesser wrote that Utah currently brings in around $149 million from the food sales tax and that the state can afford to let families keep that money.

She also wrote that her bill only targets eliminating the state tax on grocery food, not other taxes imposed by cities and counties.


Jatessa Whittaker, a mother of five who works as a grocery store cashier, attended the press conference. She said she supports doing away with the tax because it will allow families to purchase more food.

“I see a lot of people who come in and try to buy stuff and they see it’s too much and they put it away and they’re sad or they tell their kids, ‘No, we can’t get this today,’” Whittaker said.

KSL 5 TV Live

Unaffordable Utah

St. George home construction...

Katie McKellar, Deseret News

4 Utah markets make U.S. top 25 list of falling home prices

Nationally, the U.S. housing market has been resilient even in the face of mortgage rates over 7%.

16 days ago

apartment...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage

Rent prices drop along Wasatch Front, but for how long?

After more than a decade of increases, rent prices along the Wasatch Front are dropping as Utah finally follows the national trend. But renters here shouldn’t expect it to last.

23 days ago

File - A sign announces newly built homes in Sudbury, Ma., on March 12, 2023. On Thursday, Freddie ...

Alex Veiga, AP Business Writer and Ladd Egan, KSL TV

The average long-term US mortgage rate surges to 7.49%, its highest level since December 2000

The cost of financing a home surged again this week as the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed to its highest level since December 2000.

2 months ago

Toddlers dance during play time at Living Water Child Care and Learning Center as center director J...

Associated Press

Child care programs just lost thousands of federal dollars. Families, providers scramble to cope

After two years of receiving federal subsidies, 220,000 child care programs across the country were cut off from funding Saturday Utah

2 months ago

home under construction...

Anna Bahney, CNN

New home sales dropped in August as mortgage rates climbed

New home sales dropped in August from the month before, as mortgage rates topped 7% and rose to the highest levels in more than 20 years.

2 months ago

Park City parking lot...

Katija Stjepovic

Park City to address pedestrian safety, affordable housing

Park City has invited the community to a public meeting Tuesday night to go over the city's hopes to improve the lack of affordable housing along with pedestrian, bike, and transit.

2 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

Group calls for Utah to end sales tax on grocery food