SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A battle is building over how to tax you when you step out to get your heart pumping. As you might suspect, paying a higher tax to sweat goes over in a gym like a lead weight.
"Exercise in my opinion is preventive health care," said Christine Henson.
"America should always try to be fit and anything we can do to promote that should be done," said Dane Hilton.
The State Department of Revenue basically says a tax designed to hit you when you go to a baseball game or ride a roller coast at an amusement park should also hit your pocketbook when you go to a gym and run on the treadmill.
"But, now they're classifying taking a yoga class or fitness class as an entertainment event. And I don't know about you, but I don't consider getting on a treadmill entertainment," said State Rep. Eric Burlison.
"Besides the money factor, some fitness trainers are worried that the whole thing sends the wrong message about getting healthy," said Noah Alldredge, owner of Big Time Results.
Burlison plans to take the taxing question out of the gym and to state lawmakers. What they decide could impact what you pay to get a bit healthier.
The Missouri Legislature goes back to work this Wednesday and will be in session until the second week of May.
Meantime, on a federal level, you can't deduct a gym membership as a medical expense. The IRS says the cost of a gym membership is for business, pleasure, or other social purposes and is not related to a particular medical condition.
"Exercise in my opinion is preventive health care," said Christine Henson.
"America should always try to be fit and anything we can do to promote that should be done," said Dane Hilton.
The State Department of Revenue basically says a tax designed to hit you when you go to a baseball game or ride a roller coast at an amusement park should also hit your pocketbook when you go to a gym and run on the treadmill.
"But, now they're classifying taking a yoga class or fitness class as an entertainment event. And I don't know about you, but I don't consider getting on a treadmill entertainment," said State Rep. Eric Burlison.
"Besides the money factor, some fitness trainers are worried that the whole thing sends the wrong message about getting healthy," said Noah Alldredge, owner of Big Time Results.
Burlison plans to take the taxing question out of the gym and to state lawmakers. What they decide could impact what you pay to get a bit healthier.
The Missouri Legislature goes back to work this Wednesday and will be in session until the second week of May.
Meantime, on a federal level, you can't deduct a gym membership as a medical expense. The IRS says the cost of a gym membership is for business, pleasure, or other social purposes and is not related to a particular medical condition.
