Gov. Edwards Says Ag Exemptions are Safe in His Tax Plan

By Carey Martin, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

Gov. John Bel Edwards and Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson (left), clarify that sales tax exemptions on agricultural inputs will remain in place in his tax proposal.

Sales tax exemptions for agricultural inputs are safe in Gov. John Bel Edwards' new tax proposal. Edwards told the media during a news conference Wednesday afternoon that state sales tax exemptions for farmers have never been on the table.

"I can tell you that at no time were the sales tax exemptions relating to agriculture in the discussions in terms of eliminating those exemptions," said Edwards.

Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson echoed Edwards comments in a follow-up statement, saying the exemptions will be protected in the governor's plan.

"Those are sales tax exemptions.  There's no change to those exemptions," said Robinson. "They will still be fully in place as they were under the exemption changes we did last year with the clean pennies."

The governor's tax proposal includes several new tax measures including changes in the sales tax and a new tax on corporations, while reducing individual and corporate tax rates.  It would also phase out the corporate franchise tax over a ten year period.

Click here to see the Gov. Edwards' comments during Wednesday's news conference.

Click here to read more about Gov. Edwards' tax proposal.