Good News for Californians With Pets. No Veterinary Sales Tax–for Now.

It’s official. We have dodged the bullet on the California veterinary sales tax proposal. The California Veterinary Medicine Association writes in its Members’ Edge:

Over three months ago, the CVMA launched a massive campaign to oppose the Governor’s proposed tax increase on veterinary services. On February 19, we prevailed! The budget deal, approved by the Legislature, does not include a tax on veterinary services.

On November 6, 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called for an increase in the California state sales tax to address the multi-billion dollar deficit in the budget and proposed a sales tax on all veterinary services. This was part of a larger combination of program cuts and revenue increases to balance the state budget. This proposal would have added approximately 10% to the cost of veterinary care.

The Members’ Edge is careful to point out that a tax on veterinary services remains an option for future budgets. However, for now the tax is off the table.

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