Regional Affairs

AOPA supports tax bill that exempts sales, repairs

AOPA is urging Illinois legislators to approve House Bill 4235, which would exempt aircraft, parts, and supplies that are purchased and used to overhaul, rebuild, refurbish, or remodel an aircraft from the state's sales and use tax. If approved, the bill sponsored by Rep. Rich Brauer would become effective July 1. "The lighter general aviation airplanes our members fly are greater in number than all other aircraft, and this new pool of customers would increase significantly the amount of aircraft sales and repair business conducted in Illinois," explained Roger Cohen, AOPA vice president of regional affairs, in a letter to Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Currie. "Moreover, with more customers, aviation businesses will be able to provide many highly skilled, well-paying jobs, generating broad tax and social benefits statewide." Currie chairs the House Rules Committee, through which most legislation must pass before being referred to a policy committee for consideration.

January 20, 2006