(August 2, 2012 -- Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today spoke from the House floor on the need to permanently extend the sales tax deduction in order to put money back into the pockets of middle-class Nevada families and into the Silver State’s economy.  The sales tax deduction has been extended on a temporary basis only, but Berkley is calling on Congress to give families in Nevada a permanent option to claim this valuable tax savings.  A transcript of Berkley’s remarks appears below and video of her statement can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/shelleyberkley

 

"Mr. Speaker, Congress must do right by Nevada’s middle-class families and make permanent the sales tax deduction, a measure that benefits so many middle-class families in Nevada.

 

"Over 300,000 Nevadans claimed $456 million in deductions for state and local sales tax in 2009 alone.

 

"Nevada is one of only nine states that has no state income tax and instead revenue is raised through a sales tax. 

 

Nevadans should be able to deduct their sales tax from their federal income tax just as citizens from income tax states do now. 

 

The sales tax deduction helps families across Nevada by leaving more money in their pockets.  This creates jobs, stimulates economic growth and keeps money in their pockets.  It’s a matter of priority Mr. Speaker.

 

"We must make the sales tax deduction permanent in order to give middle-class families the certainty in knowing they will have the extra money in their pockets to put food on the table, gas in their cars and be able to pay the mortgage on their family home."

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