Tax repeal in Wisconsin blocked

A proposal to exempt coin and bullion purchases from the Wisconsin State sales tax became a political football in negotiations between legislators and the governor?s office as they try to pass a budget bill.

The exemption language was incorporated in the budget bill passed by the Republican Assembly. The Democratic governor?s office labeled the break as primarily benefiting coin collectors and dealers and would result in a loss of $250,000 in state revenue.

The Assembly negotiators appeared to yield the point as this issue of Numismatic News went to press.

Passage would bring Wisconsin?s tax policy in line with neighboring Michigan, Illinois and Iowa and 26 other states.