THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, June 11, 1996 TAG: 9606110021
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 35 lines
I empathize with C. J. Carpenter who complained about taxes at Virginia Beach (letter, June 3).
Has anyone ever added up the items that Virginia Beach taxes its citizens each year? My list:
House.
Car ($500 this year alone).
Business (tried for nine months in which we were sent three letters/bills monthly and four audits. We decided to quit because of paperwork/hassle).
Dog licenses.
Cat licenses.
Yard Sales (Yes, the city charges $5).
Sewer utility ``use tax.''
Bell Atlantic ``Virginia Relay Center Surcharge.''
.045-cent tax extra on processed/ restaurant food.
City stickers for vehicles.
Sewer storm-drainage fees.
Virginia Beach electric utility tax.
These are just a few of the hundreds of obvious/hidden taxes we pay yearly.
Why can't Virginia Beach just levy one flat annual tax for everyone and divide it by 12 and get everyone living within the city limits to pay a monthly bill? We're being nickeled and dimed to death!
My husband is ex-Navy, and we don't feel that the city-sticker registration should be waived for military. All who live in the city should have to pay that ``tax.'' Enough is enough! C.J. - I feel your pain.
DAWN ECKHOUT
Virginia Beach, June 4, 1996 by CNB