I recently saw in the newspaper an article about the state sales tax being considered for an increase from 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent.

I have a letter that the state sent to all businesses, dated Sept. 1, 2013, that says effective Oct. 30, 2013, the sales tax would increase “temporarily” from 5.0 percent to 5.5 percent. That increase would be in effect until June 30, 2015, at which time it would go back to 5.0 percent.

What happened? Doesn’t anyone from the state remember that letter?

It is hard enough doing business in Maine, where it seems that the state manages to come up with many taxes to load on to the business owners. No wonder so many businesses, large and small, give up and move to a more friendly business state.

Between the state and government, all business owners are expected to collect the sales tax, state withholding, federal withholding, child support, etc., all with no remuneration to the business owner in any way. But if we file our return one day late, the state or the government is right there to charge us a penalty with interest for being late.

The same article about the tax increase stated that all auto repairs would remain taxed at the new rate of 6.5 percent. That is incorrect. Tax is paid only on the parts used in a repair. The labor is not taxed.

Dominick Rinaldi Sr.

Skowhegan