‘Tan Tax’ Part of National Overhaul

Anyone who uses a sunbed just got burned.

While carefully thumbing through the $900-plus billion health care overhaul – OK, someone e-mailed us a tip – we learned those who utilize tanning beds soon will pay an extra 10 percent in taxes. The move is expected to generate more than $2.5 billion over the next 10 years, with that money helping fund the new bill.

The tax, expected to go into effect July 1, made us wonder how the folks who recently opened The Tan Co. in Fayetteville must feel. So we contacted co-owner Ryan Wagoner.

“Lobbyists and doctors in the cosmetic surgery industry were able to get the ‘Bo-tax’ removed from the bill saying it discriminated against women,” Wagoner wrote in an e-mailed response. “Ironically, women account for 75 percent of customers in the tanning industry.

“Therefore, to double the tax on tanning because they removed the tax on cosmetic procedures is just an unfair blow to a much smaller industry.”

Wagoner was referencing the fact the “Tan Tax” replaced the 5 percent tax on cosmetic surgery originally included in the bill. According to a report on CNNMoney.com, that tax would’ve generated $5.8 billion over the same period of time.

Wagoner also said he expects some customers to tan less due to the increased cost. If that proves true, we consider it just another blow to small business.