Columbus Restaurant Tax In Limbo

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus restaurant tax may not survive the Mississippi Legislature.

The House passed version of the 2% levy includes a clause saying restaurants with less than $325,000 in sales do not have to pay the tax.

Representative Jeff Smith says that came after Columbus leaders agreed with the idea. The Senate version would collect the tax on all restaurants.

A conference committee must meet to iron out differences in the bills or it dies and the tourism funding measure will go away.

Smith remains hopeful a deal can be reached this afternoon, March 27.

The pressure comes because there is a possibility lawmakers may declare the session complete Wednesday and go home.