Internet Use Tax Again to go Before Ozark County Voters

After being voted down in 2020 and 2022, Ozark County Commissioners are hoping the third time will be the charm as they are once again asking voters to approve an internet use tax.

The story below is from KTLO and the Ozark County Times:

Approving the measure would allow the county to collect on internet sales the same 2% sales tax now collected on purchases made at brick-and-mortar businesses in Ozark County.
The tax would be split three ways with 50% going to general revenue, 25% to law enforcement and 25% to road and bridge.

According to the Ozark County Times, Presiding Commissioner Terry Newton said during the recent commissioner’s meeting “It doesn’t affect everybody, but it will aid everybody.”

County officials say Ozark County is one of the few counties in Missouri that does not have a “use tax” provision. They say the county is missing out on thousands of dollars that can’t be collected by the county and it’s having a detrimental effect on county finances.

Newton says there are grants the country can’t apply for because the county doesn’t have the use tax in place.

He says in most instances, the tax is already being collected by the state, but since the use tax isn’t in place, the county can’t collect it.

Newton says approval of the proposal will add approximately $250,000 to the county coffers each year.

The commissioners are setting up action groups throughout Ozark County to help educate citizens about the proposal. Anyone who would like to volunteer can call 417-679-4096.

The proposal will be on the April 2 General Election ballot.