10% tax has devastated an industry, resulting in the closure of nearly 10,000 small businesses and loss of 100,000 jobs since 2010

WASHINGTON, DC (March 8, 2017) – The American Suntanning Association (ASA) today endorsed action taken by Congress to repeal the 10% federal excise tax on indoor tanning. The repeal is included in the draft American Health Care Act introduced this week by Congress.

“We applaud Congress for taking action to repeal this onerous and unfair tax, which has crippled an industry and hurt small business owners across the country,” said ASA President Melinda Norton.

Since the tan tax went into effect in 2010, approximately 10,000 small business-owned salons – more than half of all tanning salons in the U.S. – have closed, resulting in the elimination of nearly 100,000 jobs in communities across the country.

At the same time, the tax has generated less than one-third of the revenue projected by the Congressional Budget Office, or an average of only $84 million per year. With the IRS allocating $11 million annually to collect and administer the tax, coupled with Small Business Administration loan defaults and the loss of income and payroll taxes from closed salons, the net impact of the tax has arguably been negative to the U.S. Treasury.

In addition, a recent study published by world-renowned researchers finds insufficient sun exposure to be an emerging health problem in the United States, and calls for our government to alter its public health advice from one of sun avoidance to a recommendation of regular non-burning sun exposure for most Americans. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5129901/

“The tan tax is a perfect example of misguided government policy, implemented with little forethought or regard for the American public, and we applaud Congress for taking action to repeal it,” Norton added.

NOTE: PLEASE REFER MEDIA REQUESTS REGARDING THIS MATTER TO THE AMERICAN SUNTANNING ASSOCIATION AT 855-879-7678 OR MEDIA@AMERICANSUNTANNING.ORG.

The American Suntanning Association (ASA) is a Section 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization representing professional sunbed salon owners committed to responsible and balanced sun care. The ASA urges a facts-based discussion among the industry, medical community and government regarding the risks and benefits of UV exposure. For more information, visit www.americansuntanning.org