Cambridge Tribune in Cambridge, Maryland

Sales Tax on Building Materials Raises House Costs

Maryland builders warn that after July 1 all materials used in new homes and improvements will incur sales or use taxes. President Robert A. Bready says the tax applies to materials not labor and will raise costs by 75 to 150 dollars compared with current prices. He notes hidden bookkeeping and higher overhead for providers and builders, with profits already trimmed and consumers paying the added cost. The tax would apply to in-state and out-of-state purchases and affect items like vinyl flooring and heating systems. A separate classified ad seeks reliable canvassers in Talbot County offering 15 to 20 dollars daily.