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Taxing Yoga

Paloma Chavez

DC_Taxing-Yoga.JPGDo you own a yoga studio? If so, how would you feel if you were told you’d have to start charging a sales tax? Yes, that’s right – the tax man cometh!

Charging their clients a sales tax is the dilemma that yoga studios and teachers in the state of Washington are currently facing. Recently, the Department of Revenue in that state notified the owners of yoga studios that they would have to start charging a sales tax. Why? Because it was decided that yoga is considered a form of exercise and therefore, under the law, it is subject to sales tax.

Just think how you’d feel if that happened in your state!

Owners and teachers of yoga studios in Washington have not taken this unpopular decision lightly and the policy is currently under fierce debate. Some teachers have tried to enlighten officials by explaining that although physical fitness is taught, the focus of yoga is on meditation and the calming of mind and spirit. There is also a discrepancy between yoga classes being taught in fitness centers that tend to concentrate on yoga as a fitness regime and independent yoga studios that focus on meditation and spiritual awareness.

Some yoga studios have already reluctantly begun to implement this new 9% sales tax. However, this has opened another can of worms because the owners and teachers of the studios are concerned that they may be subject to paying back taxes, which could end up being thousands of dollars. To add to the frustration, some studios have already been required to pay back taxes, while other studios have received a tax refund. In order to come to find a common ground resolution to this debate, Washington’s Department of Revenue is planning to meet with local yoga representatives on November 19th.

Let’s hope they find a solution before the idea catches on in other states!

So what would you do if you were suddenly told that you had to charge a sales tax under the law?

You can read the full article here to find out more about this ongoing debate: www.king5.com.

[tags]yoga exercise, yoga studio and tax, sales tax on yoga, yoga in Washington state[/tags]

2 Responses to “Taxing Yoga”

  1. Thanks for spreading the word about this important issue our yoga community in Washington is facing!

    As the founder of the Seattle Yoga Enewsletter & a business coach for yoga professionals, I have been the one responsible for ‘getting the word out’ to the teachers & studio owners in the Greater Seattle region.

    For current information about preparation for the Nov 19 meeting or contacts in Dept of Revenue, please contact me – [email protected].

    Let me add that this issue is having a positive twist! This is the first time that I’ve witnessed our yoga community pull together and be as inclusive to the many forms of Yoga.

    I am honored to be a part of this conversation & community.

    http://www.YogaBizz.com: Business Coaching for Yoga Pros
    http://www.YogaBlaze.com: Seattle’s Monthly Yoga Enewsletter
    http://www.SoleilRising.com: My Private Yoga Therapy practice

  2. Paloma says:

    Soleil
    And thank you to you for all of your good efforts to bring awareness and community to discuss this issue. I am sure that many studios are doing their best to just keep their doors open and any support and information is vital to their survival. Keep up the great work that you are doing for all concerned.

Leave a Reply to Paloma