About The Tax
At a time when restaurants, hotels, bars, and breweries are still struggling with labor challenges and increased costs, your government wants to add a 1% prepared meals tax to everyone’s bill—and they’re proposing you collect it for them. A tax of 1% would be applied to any prepared food or drink purchased within the jurisdiction (Greensboro/Guilford Co.) This includes restaurant orders, coffee purchases, catering and banquet service, and alcohol sales at bars and taverns.
Why It Matters
Prepared meals taxes are regressive by their nature. They propose that one industry be taxed to fund services and entertainment enjoyed by everyone in the community. The majority of these taxes will be disproportionately paid for by the residents of the city/county who can least afford to pay them—contrary to Mayor Vaughan’s claim that the tax will be largely paid for by area visitors.
What You Can Do
The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) sent Mayor Vaughan a letter stating its clear opposition to the implementation of a meals tax—advocating for alternative solutions to address the community’s needs. You can voice your opinion to Mayor Vaughan, City Council, County Commissioner Chair Skip Alston, and the rest of the Guilford County Commissioners! Let them all know that you oppose this action!
