Lafayette Parish May End Tax Rebate For Local Businesses

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — The Lafayette City-Parish Government is considering ending a sales tax rebate that helps area businesses cover accounting expenses related to collecting and paying the tax.

A long-standing local law has allowed businesses to keep 2 percent of total collections for city-parish government sales taxes as long as the sales tax payment is on time.

The Advocate reports the council is considering ending that practice, a change that could bring more revenue to a local government that has been struggling to meet annual expenses.

Councilman Jay Castille says the ordinance is scheduled to be introduced Tuesday and to come up for a final vote Feb. 5.

Officials say ending the rebate could bring in an additional $1.5 million a year for city-parish government.