Dark Store Loophole Costs Taxpayers
Republicans blocked bill that prevented big box retailers shifting taxes to homeowners.
However, one company that has not been paying its fair share in property taxes is Walmart, and it’s using something called the dark store tax loophole to shift that burden onto America’s homeowners.
What is the Walmart Dark Store Tax Loophole?
The dark store tax loophole allows big box retailers like Walmart to reduce their property taxes by appraising their property as if it was a vacant or “dark” store, thus resulting in a lower tax assessment. In Wisconsin, Walmart and other big box retailers used this loophole to try and cut their property assessments by a total of more than an estimated $700 million last year.
Earlier this year, State Senator Janis Ringhand’s bill, A.B. 386, attempted to close the loophole in Wisconsin and was supported by over 60 bipartisan co-sponsors and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities. But in the final days of the session, Assembly Leader Robin Vos and Senate Speaker Scott Fitzgerald blocked Ringhand’s bill and tried to push a “compromise” supported by business interests that, according to the League, was “worse than current law.” Because of Vos and Fitzgerald’s last-minute bait-and-switch, nothing was done to address the dark store tax loophole. Leaders Vos and Fitzgerald must not have homeowners in their districts, otherwise why would they place additional tax burdens on them while major corporations like Walmart get away with not paying what they owe?
Why does this matter?
In addition to Walmart’s corporate welfare, an estimated $6.2 billion in annual federal subsidies, and the estimated $205 million in cumulative nationwide state and local tax subsidies the retailer has already received, the Walmart Dark Store Tax Loophole creates a tremendous burden on our society. By fleecing local government out of much-needed revenue, our public schools, which heavily rely on property tax revenue, suffer the most. And when schools are underfunded, oftentimes taxes go up or new taxes are instituted, creating more of a burden for homeowners.
Walmart could easily stop appealing property assessments made by local governments and use the $2 billion federal corporate tax break it will receive this year to pay its property taxes.
But none of this has happened and will not happen unless the American people speak out against Walmart’s behavior and actions.
It’s time to close Walmart’s Dark Store Tax Loophole and for politicians like Vos and Fitzgerald to place their priorities with America’s homeowners and taxpayers and not companies that use loopholes to get out of paying their fair share.
John Eiden is the President of United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1473.
More about the Dark Store Loophole
- Wisconsin Supreme Court ‘dark store’ decision a huge win for state’s taxpayers, municipalities - Ald. Scott Spiker - Feb 23rd, 2023
- Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Against “Dark Store Loophole” - Henry Leonard - Feb 17th, 2023
- Campaign Cash: Real Estate Interests Back GOP Bill - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign - Nov 18th, 2021
- Hot Debate, Limited Action by Senate - Erik Gunn - Jan 22nd, 2020
- Senate Democrats Offer 2020 Agenda - Laurel White - Dec 24th, 2019
- Dark Store Loophole Continues to Shift Property Tax Burden to Homeowners - State Rep. Gordon Hintz - Dec 19th, 2019
- Examining the Dark-Store Loophole - Melanie Conklin - Aug 7th, 2019
- Senate GOP Refuse to Close the “Dark Store” Loophole - State Sen. Jennifer Shilling - May 15th, 2019
- Senate Republicans unanimously reject vote on Dark Store fix - State Sen. Janis Ringhand - May 15th, 2019
- The State of Politics: Can Any ”Dark Store” Reform Get Passed? - Steven Walters - Apr 22nd, 2019
Read more about Dark Store Loophole here
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Thanks for raising our taxes again and again Republicans! You are all liars, schemers and hypocrites!
Dump Vos
Dump Fitzgerald
Dump Walker
Dump ALL Republicans!
How can I get my house appraised as if it’s vacant? The vacant homes in Milwaukee go for about $5K at auction.
How can I get my tax bill/assessment for rental units pro-rated to reflect occupancy?
Question, actually two – what was the actual way the loop hole was to be closed? AND what was the compromise? those details are missing in this article.
Republicans looking put for their corporate sponsors.
Breaking news.Bon-Ton the Corporate Parent of Boston Store has announcing closing and liquidation.I don’t like this which means more vacant retail and could permanently harm the future of such Malls like SouthRidge.Are the owners of Sendik’s going to benefit from the Dark Store loophole after closing their West Milwaukee location that was open for less than two years?