New Places for Eating Tax Passes in Geneva; Informational Sessions Planned

The Geneva City Council voted last week in favor of a 2 percent “Places for Eating” tax that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017.

Restaurants and other businesses where prepared food is sold immediate consumption with seating provided may elect to include the tax on their customers' bills. This will translate into an additional $1 for $50 spent by those customers. The Places for Eating Tax is levied in addition to any other taxes currently in effect, according to the city of Geneva.

The new tax is expected to generate $500,000 for the remainder of the city’s 2016-17 fiscal year and an estimated $1.5 million on an annual basis. The additional revenue will allow the city to maintain its current level of core services for public safety and public works and provide a funding source for various capital projects or future equipment purchases, according to the news release.

Informational Packets

The city will provide all impacted businesses an informational packet that contains necessary tax documents to register. The packet (which also will be posted to the website soon) will have the following forms and information:

• Places for Eating Tax registration form
• Places for Eating Tax return form
• Instructions for completing the registration and and tax return forms
• Copy of the Places for Eating Tax ordinance
• Administrative code
• Frequently asked questions

Informational Sessions

In addition, the city will host two information sessions on the next tax. The first will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, and the second will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26 in the City Hall Council Chambers, 109 James St.

City staff will review details about the applicability of the tax and tax remittance procedures and will also answer questions.

The sessions also will be videotaped and placed on the city’s website and YouTube channel.

Have A Question?

Business owners who have questions about the Places for Eating Tax can call the City’s Finance Division at 630-232-0854.

Photo via the city of Geneva