My Sprint cellphone bill arrived today, featuring a brand new fee: The Texas Margin Fee Reimbursement. This is Sprint’s attempt to make visible the new business tax implemented by the Texas Legislature last sprint. Some in the legislature are crying foul, but Sprint has the nerve to do what lawmakers usually don’t — admit that business taxes are borne by people, not business. Most other businesses won’t put the burden of the tax on the bill — but you and I are still paying for it. Maybe its higher taxes, maybe its lost profits, lost job opportunities, reduced wage growth. But make no mistake, taxes are always paid by people. Lawmakers are mad Sprint is putting this fee on the bills; the political point of taxes business is to hide the cost of government. Can you see the tax now?
