Contact: Rep. Greta Neubauer, 608-237-9166
Rep.Neubauer@legis.wisconsin.gov
It’s time for national retailers to pay their fair share
MADISON – Today. Governor Tony Evers announced his plan to close the dark store loophole in the 2019-2020 biennial budget. Representative Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) released the following statement in response.
“Local governments, communities, and homeowners across the state have asked us to fix the dark store loophole. Homeowners and small businesses shouldn’t carry the burden when well-funded national retailers refuse to pay their fair share,” Neubauer said.
The loophole, based on Walgreens v. City of Madison, a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision, allows big box retailers to base their tax assessments on their value as a vacant store rather than a store in operation. This so-called ‘Dark Store Loophole’ saves corporate retailers millions of dollars and shifts the property tax burden to residential and small business taxpayers.
“Today, Governor Evers announced his plan to end this unfair tax break for corporations at the expense of hardworking Wisconsinites. I am proud to work with our Governor to restore equity to our tax codes and put Wisconsin families first.”
