• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Blog Home
  • Topics
    • Keystone Press Releases
    • Politics and Government
    • Legislation
    • Nevada News
    • Tourism & Gaming
    • Rural Nevada
    • Business
    • Opinion
  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • About Keystone Nevada

Keystone Nevada Korner

Welcome to The Keystone Korner The Official Blog of Keystone Nevada

Home » EDITORIAL: State still poised to benefit from illegal tax hikes

EDITORIAL: State still poised to benefit from illegal tax hikes

April 2, 2023 by Courtney Holland

By the Las Vegas Review-Journal Editorial Board, March 29, 2023

Governments are highly efficient at separating taxpayers from their hard-earned money, but when it comes to reimbursing them for excessive tax payments … not so much.

Last year, it took the IRS eons to process paper returns, forcing some taxpayers to wait six months or more to receive their refunds. Meanwhile, the Treasury’s withholding requirements ensure a constant stream of revenue from wage earners.

The state of Nevada is no different. The DMV, for example, is quite capable of collecting some of the highest car registration fees in the nation. Yet ask the DMV to return money to drivers who were improperly charged certain fees, and the complications pile up end on end.

The rebates in question stem from a scheme launched by legislative Democrats in 2019 to soak state taxpayers for more than $100 million. Lacking the votes to reach the two-thirds majority required to pass tax hikes, they decreed that killing the sunset provisions on a DMV technology fee and a payroll tax didn’t amount to a tax increase and could be achieved through a simple majority vote.

Their arguments were patently absurd — the whole point of the exercise was to increase the amount of money pouring into state coffers — and the Nevada Supreme Court unanimously ruled in 2021 against the Democratic leadership. That decision affirmed a District Court judge’s previous ruling that the tax hikes were illegal and that those who had paid the assessments “are entitled to an immediate refund thereof with interest at the legal rate of interest from the date collected.”

By the time of the court decision, the state had realized nearly $6 million in improperly collected DMV fees. Lawmakers during the last legislative session struggled with how to refund the money, which amounts to only a few bucks per driver. Not surprisingly, the solution didn’t involve sending out small checks to those who had paid the fee. Rather the onus was placed on individual motorists to demand the refund.

It’s no surprise, then, that the DMV announced it has rebated only $1.9 million out the $6 million it owes. Businesses and fleet owners have been more proactive and received $1.6 million of the $2.2 million they are due. Individual drivers have collected just $242,000 of the $3.8 million set aside for them.

Any money not claimed by June 30 will go to the state highway fund.

A DMV spokesman said that the agency has dedicated windows to serving motorists seeking to collect the rebates and that no appointment is necessary. To determine refund eligibility email [email protected] or call 775 684-4611. The amount may be small, but there is a principle involved. The more money the state gets to keep, the more legislative Democrats will be rewarded for their cynical chicanery.

Filed Under: Opinion Tagged With: Editorials, money, Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), rebates, Taxation

Primary Sidebar

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
Bootleg Bistro
Bootleg Bistro Ad
SLLC_Keystone_Blog-Ad_300x500_10%-Off-Repairs_05.19.21
CIOServices Ad 300x500-100
BRH Keystone Ad JPEG
Willow_Manor
Keystone Corporation Nevada

News Topics

  • Keystone Press Releases
  • Politics and Government
  • Legislation
  • Nevada News
  • Tourism & Gaming
  • Rural Nevada
  • Business
  • Opinion

Rural Nevada

Weather may have slowed January sales

April 8, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By The Record Courier Staff, April 4, 2023 For the third month in a row, Douglas County merchants reported a decrease in taxable sales, though not … [Read More...] about Weather may have slowed January sales

30 new projects in Pahrump: Arby’s, Chipotle, Midas Muffler, 3 convenient stores & more

March 29, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By Robin Hebrock, Pahrump Valley Times, March 28, 2023 Business is booming in the Pahrump Valley, with dozens of new companies looking to bring … [Read More...] about 30 new projects in Pahrump: Arby’s, Chipotle, Midas Muffler, 3 convenient stores & more

UPS and AVK America plan to expand in Douglas County

March 19, 2023 By Courtney Holland

Staff Reports for The Record Courier, March 17, 2023 United Parcel Service plans to build a new 168,000 square foot building in Douglas County, … [Read More...] about UPS and AVK America plan to expand in Douglas County

Redwood Materials gets $2 billion federal loan for mega battery facility near Reno

February 12, 2023 By Pauline Lee

by Jason Hidalgo, Reno Gazette-Journal, February 9, 2023 Redwood Materials just secured a commitment from the federal government for a $2 billion … [Read More...] about Redwood Materials gets $2 billion federal loan for mega battery facility near Reno

Opinion

OPINION: The Lost Art of Negotiation In Carson City

May 30, 2023 By Courtney Holland

NV Dems to Governor Lombardo: ‘Your priorities aren’t our priorities, but here are ours, sign them’ By Megan Barth, The Nevada Globe, May 26, … [Read More...] about OPINION: The Lost Art of Negotiation In Carson City

OPINION: Don’t force taxpayers to gamble with the IRS

May 30, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By Rich Robledo, Las Vegas Sun, May 21, 2023 Every year, millions of Americans visit Las Vegas to see the sights, take in a show, and even gamble … [Read More...] about OPINION: Don’t force taxpayers to gamble with the IRS

OPINION: Bipartisanship is critical in economic development

May 30, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By Tina Quigley, The Nevada Independent, May 28th, 2023 Several months ago, a friend sent me a copy of a 50-year-old local news … [Read More...] about OPINION: Bipartisanship is critical in economic development

Tags

Adam Laxalt am post Build Back Better Business Business Columns Casinos & Gaming Catherine Cortez Masto Clark County Clark County School District COVID Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) Editorials Education Elon Musk employment Gov. Joe Lombardo Gov. Steve Sisolak Housing inflation Inside Gaming Joe Lombardo las vegas Local Local Las Vegas Local Nevada mc-business mc-local mc-news mc-opinion mc-sports Nevada News NPRI Opinion Opinion Columns PAID Politics and Government Real Estate Insider Roe v. Wade school choice Sports Tesla The Strip tourism Victor Joecks

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Keystone Corporation - All Rights Reserved · Log in
Privacy Policy
By accessing this site, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use

The views, opinions and conclusions expressed by the authors of any article or post on the Keystone Korner are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Keystone Corporation or its officers and board members. Moreover, any reference to a person, party, product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Keystone Corporation or its officers and board members.