February 11, 2016 Voice Your Opinions! Letters to the editor make a difference. You can send a letter of up to 200 words (shorter letters are more likely to be accepted) to the Alaska Dispatch News by email (letters@alaskadispatch.com); or by fax or mail (call them at 257-4308). Send letters to the Anchorage Press via e-mail editor@anchoragepress.com or by mail to 540 E. Fifth Ave, Anchorage, 99501. Feel free to call us if you need factual information to help you write a letter. Contact the Governor. The Governor can be reached at 269-7450; or www.alaska.gov. Contact us. My office can be reached at: 716 W. 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501; by phone: 269-0106; visit my website at http://gara.akdemocrats.org; or email: Rep.Les.Gara@akleg.gov

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Today I submitted legislation to close a gaping loophole in Alaska’s corporate tax. My press release on this bill follows.

If we are to close a nearly $4 billion budget gap, the revenue we seek needs to be balanced. It can’t disproportionately hit those who have little when we have tax loopholes that benefit those who have the most.

Today most corporations are exempted from Alaska’s corporate tax. That tax is only paid by what are called C-corporations. No tax, other than a $100 business license fee, is paid by those corporations that are organized as S-Corporations, Limited Liability Corporations, and other corporate forms. We have submitted legislation to fix that – for all corporations that earn over $200,000 in profits – not small corporations that struggle or make no profit. A press release explaining the loophole, and our fix, follows.

As always, please call if we can help, or if you want to share your thoughts!

My Best,

It’s Time to Close Corporate Tax Loophole in Alaska

Corporate Tax Loophole Elimination Act Ends Corporate Tax Exemptions for Higher-Profit S Corporations, LLC’s, and Professional Corporations

Juneau -- Alaska has a corporate tax, but over 5,000 corporations are exempt under current Alaska law, despite the fact that many of the corporations are highly profitable. Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) filed legislation to close the loophole, which he contends the state can no longer afford due to a nearly $4 billion budget deficit. Rep. Gara believes closing Alaska’s corporate tax loophole should be part of a balanced fiscal plan that is fair for all Alaskans.

“Underfunding schools, cutting job training, ending state-funded Pre-K, and cutting the Permanent Fund Dividend in half will hit working class and poor families much harder than those with great wealth,” said House Finance Committee member Rep. Gara. “A fiscal plan needs to be fair to all, regardless of privilege or wealth.”

Rep. Gara’s legislation is focused on high-profit corporations that currently pay no state corporate tax and just pay a minimal $100 state business license fee. The bill seeks to include currently exempted corporations if they earn $200,000 or more in annual profits. Rep. Gara’s bill proposes a modest 6% tax on these corporations, which is significantly less than the maximum 9.4% tax imposed on C corporations in Alaska. Currently C corporations pay a 9% tax at profits of $198,000. The top rate is 9.4% if profits exceed $222,000.

According to the Department of Revenue, Rep. Gara’s legislation would not impact Alaska Native Regional or Village Corporations, which are subject to the existing corporate tax law. Estimates indicate that the change to the corporate tax proposed by Rep. Gara would bring in about $50 million and possibly much more. However, an analysis by the Department of Revenue is needed.

Finally, if the Governor’s proposed income tax passes, a very minimal tax would apply to high-profit non-C corporations. The Governor is proposing a roughly 2% - 2.5% tax on income. Under the Governor’s proposal, owners of non-C corporations would pay income tax on their share of their corporation’s profits. That’s far less than Alaska’s current 9.4% corporate tax rate.

“That’s a minimal contribution from corporations that make over $200,000 a year in profits,” said Rep. Gara. “Fairness requires a more balanced plan that asks those with the greatest privilege and wealth to pay a fair share towards public safety, roads, schools, and basic services.”

The Corporate Tax Loophole Elimination Act has been filed with the House Clerk’s Office and is available here.

For more information, contact Rep. Les Gara at (907) 250-0106.

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