SC House panel OKs cutting sales tax exemptions

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina House panel has approved a bill eliminating most of the state’s sales tax exemptions, but not before adding back a few on its list to keep.

The subcommittee approved the bill 4-1 Tuesday after adding back exemptions on items like packaging used by manufacturers, telephone toll charges, newsprint and electricity used by television broadcasters.

The bill still would get rid of about two-thirds of the state’s sales tax exemptions, including items such as portable toilets, textbooks and lottery tickets.

The measure by House Republicans also leaves intact exemptions on necessities such as groceries, water service, electricity and medicine.

Sponsors say they will reduce the overall sales tax by the same amount raised by getting rid of the exemptions. Current estimates put that at about half a penny.