Thursday, September 6, 2007

Sign the petition to stop this absurd tax!

The recent decision of the state and the county to tax FlexCar and other car-sharing programs like rental cars is absurd. I've been using car-sharing program since its first day and believe it contributes positively to the City. It's a great alternative mode of transportation. Please consider signing this petition even you're not a member. Many thanks.

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?carshare&1

Local rental-tax to be imposed on car-sharing,
effective October 1

Beginning October 1, 2007, car-sharing in Seattle will be subject to a state-authorized, county-administered rental-car tax of 9.7%. This means that Flexcar Seattle members will be charged this 9.7% tax, in addition to the existing sales tax, bringing your total tax amount to 18.7% for any car-sharing usage on or after October 1.

As you know, car-sharing provides a valuable alternative to personal car-ownership and fosters increased use of public transportation among local residents. It is also a membership-based organization, making it significantly different in function and structure from traditional car-rental. Thus, we at Flexcar are working to determine how we can gain an exemption from this tax, as has happened in Portland.

If you would like to voice your support of car-sharing and your opposition to the car-rental tax on car-sharing, please consider signing our online petition. The comments of car-sharing users like you are invaluable in illustrating the many benefits car-sharing brings to our community.

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