Moore Testifies About Dark Store Loophole And Personal Property Taxes For Businesses

Fond du Lac City Manager Joe Moore had an opportunity to testify this week at the State Capitol about two issues that are or could impact tax revenues for municipalities. Moore spoke about the so-called “Dark Store” loophole for assessments on businesses. He also addressed a proposal to eliminate the personal property tax for businesses. He says it would cut millions of dollars from the City’s tax base and shift that cost to other taxpayers. He says the City’s tax base is about $2.7 billion and the personal property tax on businesses amounts to $135 million a year or about 5 percent of the tax base. State Senator Dan Feyen says the personal property tax costs businesses about $222 million a year.