In 2010 the Missouri Department of Revenue decided that yoga studios are “places of amusement, entertainment, or recreation” that are subject to sales tax. Legislation initiated by yoga studios failed to overturn the decision.
Missouri House Bill 117 would correct the overreach of the Department of Revenue’s 2010 definition of yoga instruction as amusement and entertainment for sales tax purposes.
The bill passed in its third reading this month in the Missouri House 142-13. Rep. Gina Mitten (D), for District 083, voted for it.
HB 117 will be brought up in Senate Ways and Means on April 30.
According to an area yoga studio owner, last year Governor Jay Nixon vetoed the same bill with the excuse that it was a “tax cut” meant to harm municipalities, let Governor Nixon know if you disagree.
“We would be just as happy not to collect the tax, as you would to not pay it,” the studio owner said.