Rockford Sun

As the warm season approaches and golf enthusiasts return to the courses, they may encounter a recent tax change. State Senator Dave Syverson, representing the 35th District, has highlighted a new sales tax applied to rented golf carts and clubs. This tax has been effective since January 1 and is a result of legislative action taken last year by the General Assembly.

Senator Syverson expressed his dissatisfaction with this tax, stating, "If you rent a golf cart or golf clubs, you will now have to pay a sales tax," and further questioned, "The obvious question is, why would you pay a sales tax on an item you are not buying? That’s a good question, and the reason I opposed this new tax."

This new tax is not restricted to golf-related rentals. It extends to all tangible items that are leased or rented, such as water softeners, home Internet modems, wheelchairs, and oxygen tanks. According to Syverson, many taxpayers were initially unaware due to the tax being integrated into their billing, which they might have mistaken for rental price increases. He noted that golfers felt the impact sooner due to their familiarity with consistent cart rental fees. This tax implicates all golf courses, including those managed by Park Districts, but does not extend to titled or leased items.

For further details, a video is available on Senator Syverson's Facebook page.