Pulaski County Commissioners Refuse to Reimburse Sales Tax

Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

Pulaski County Prosecutor Stacey Mrak found herself in the hot seat in front of the Commissioners as she requested reimbursement for sales tax that was paid on some items bought from Sam’s Club and Walmart. When the chairs were purchased, one of the employees of the Prosecutor’s office did not use the tax exempt form, requiring them to pay the sales tax. Mrak said that sales tax has been reimbursed before, and she was unable to use any tax exempt forms at Walmart because the item was purchased online and shipped to the store.

Mrak said she bought the item, a chair, at Walmart at a little over $100 because it was less expensive than it would have been locally and she felt that it would have just been easier to pay the sales tax. The Commissioners, however, did not feel it was that great of an idea. Reimbursing the sales tax would set a precedent that indicates it is perfectly fine to go out and pay sales tax, and that could cause problems in the future.

The Commissioners denied Mrak’s request, and approved the claims for reimbursement of the items only and not the additional sales tax.