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issue > tax revenues
Under Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. Sec. 297A.61), retail sales of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are subject to sales tax. In 2009, Animal Folks MN initiated and conducted a research project to determine if dog and cat breeders in Minnesota are following sales tax laws.
Findings and Conclusions • 74% of breeders sampled do not have active sales tax permits A random sample taken of 100 Minnesota dog and cat breeders reveals that, currently, about 74% of these breeders do not have active sales tax permits on file with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Minnesota law provides that making retail sales without a permit is a gross misdemeanor (Minn. 289A.63 Criminal Penalties). NOTE: Animal Folks MN has been gathering names of dog and cat breeders in Minnesota (through classified ads and websites); the 100 names used in the study are a sample from this total. The list represents dog and cat breeders (large and small, USDA-licensed and non-USDA-licensed) from all areas in Minnesota. • Significant loss of revenue for the State of Minnesota Based on this sample, it is apparent that many Minnesota dog and cat breeders may not know that they require a sales tax permit (and must collect/pay sales tax for animals sold) or are ignoring the State's sales tax law by failing to collect and remit the tax due on their retail sales of dogs and cats. It is safe to assume that the loss in Minnesota sales tax revenue is substantial. (See estimates below.) • Cash sales and under-reporting of transactions In order to maintain a low public profile, some breeders sell and ship animals (sight unseen) through websites or conduct cash transactions "off-premises." Not only do these tactics prevent consumers from viewing breeding conditions (in order to determine if the puppy or kitten is healthy and the breeding practices are humane), it also makes it difficult to accurately assess puppy/kitten production and sales for tax purposes.
Tax Information Commercial dog and cat breeding is a business. Dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are bred and sold (as pets) to consumers in Minnesota and out of state. The Sales Tax Fact Sheet (prepared by the Minnesota Department of Revenue) states: Sales and purchases of pets are taxable. In addition to puppies and kittens, the sale of breeding animals (adult mother and father dogs) are also taxable, under Minnesota law, if the offspring are intended to be sold as pets. For example (per the MN Department of Revenue), "the sale of a breeder rabbit to a person who sells rabbit for food is not taxable, but the sale of a breeder rabbit to a person who sells rabbits for pets is taxable." Dogs and cats are bred to produce pets. NOTE: Sales tax applies to retail sales. If a breeder sells to a pet store, for instance, that transaction is considered wholesale. The breeder does not pay sales tax; the pet store would pay the sales tax when the animal is sold to the consumer. Breeders who sell to pet stores are required to be licensed by the USDA. In 2009, the number of USDA-licensed facilities in Minnesota who breed dogs and cats was estimated to be 62 (per USDA inspection reports). Uncollected sales and income tax revenues in Minnesota Animal Folks MN has made initial estimates of puppy/kitten production in the State of Minnesota based on estimates of breeding facilities (large and small; USDA and non-USDA), average litter size and average price per puppy/kitten. Our calculations are conservative due to limited or no oversight and record-keeping by the state or local governments in regards to this industry. Formulas used considered the following factors:
These findings were submitted to the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The Minnesota Department of Revenue has also made their own estimates of uncollected sales tax for dog and cat breeders. They based their estimates on the definition of "commercial dog and cat breeder" in the dog and cat breeder bill from 2010 (House File 253). The bill narrowly defines commercial breeder as a person ... "who possesses 20 or more adult intact animals and who produces five or more total litters of puppies or kittens per year", which the Board of Animal Health has estimated to be 400 breeders. Based on a profile of 400 dog/cat breeders, the MN Department of Revenue has estimated uncollected sales tax to be over $2 million yearly. Breeder regulation would allow for licensing of dog and cat breeders. This licensing would make it easier to collect tax revenues, though it will take a few years to bring breeders into full compliance. NOTE: The 400 breeders estimated above represents a portion of total dog and cat breeders in Minnesota; therefore, uncollected sales tax for this industry would be considerably higher than the $2 million+ (yearly) estimated. Also, uncollected income tax is not reflected in the figure above.
Other States: Tax evasion by dog/cat breeders "I had my eyes completely opened to a new type of crime that has no strings to it," said Deputy K.A. McLeish of the Washington County (Ohio) sheriff's office, as quoted in The Columbus Dispatch in October 2009. "Anybody can start dealing dogs, and it's cash transactions across the board." Sheriff department, state governments and animal organizations across the United States are starting to pay close attention to how dogs and cats are bought and sold. The issue, in regards to unscrupulous or negligent breeders, is not only one of animal cruelty and neglect. The issue also involves the sale of "products" produced (i.e. dog, cat, puppy or kitten), how the transaction was conducted, and how the sale was reported for tax purposes. As with all businesses, commercial breeders must follow the law — including tax laws. Other states have already addressed the problem. A few examples are below (all news articles are from 2009; some news is updated since these postings):
Report it Consumers who purchase a puppy or kitten from a Minnesota dog/cat breeder and know or suspect they have not paid sales tax can report the transaction to the Minnesota Department of Revenue Criminal Investigation Division at:
You can call 24 hours and you can remain anonymous. NOTE: Find out more about the tipline and what specific type of information is needed at the MN Department of Revenue website link above. There is also a mailing address posted. The more detailed the information, the more likely it is the case will be referred for a civil audit or a criminal investigation. |
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