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07.17.2008 4:43 pm

City Hall earnings tax haunts ex-Cardinals broadcaster

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Even though he’s moved onto the Big Apple, Tax Collector Gregory F.X. Daly still has his sites set on former Cardinals announcer Wayne Hagin, who apparently did not give City Hall its required one-percent. Wayne Hagin

In a nice scoop, Post-Dispatch business columnist Joe Whittington reports that the city is after Hagin — who left the Cardinals before the 2006 season — for an unpaid earning tax bill of $2,824.78, which has grown to $4,632.63 with penalties.

Reached by phone in the New York subway system — Hagin now calls games for the Mets — Hagin told Whittington that he didn’t even realize he had to pay the earning tax.

“When I was with the Cardinals, I lived in Chesterfield,” Hagin said. “I knew nothing about an earnings tax.”

Doesn’t matter — as suburban commuters and city residents alike know, the tax applies to individuals who either live or work in the city, everyone from Busch Stadium ticket takers to slugger Albert Pujols.

Hagin may want to make his case with Sarah Steelman, who was the first of the GOP candidates for governor to propose aboloshing the city earnings tax. (Party rival Kenny Hulshof followed later.)

Mayor Francis Slay has said that he’d open to abolishing the wage tax — if lawmakers can come up with a way to replace the $140 million it brings into municipal coffers.

4 comments

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I’m confused. Aren’t these guys actual employees? Or are they considered Independent Contractors? If the former, wouldn’t the employer take the 1% and remit to the city (much like mine does twice a month)?

— suzyjax
6:13 pm July 17th, 2008

Suzyjax, I asked the same question. The employer takes it directly out of the paycheck. Unfortunately, as usual the PD reporter didn’t answer all the questions here that inquiring and thinking minds like ours want to know.
How did this even happen?

— A CENTRIST
9:01 pm July 17th, 2008

Ahhhhh, the earnings tax. One good reason for corporations to avoid STL as a HQ consideraton.

— gaydem
11:53 am July 18th, 2008

Nevermind what I just said, I’m an idiot. After doing some research I’ve discovered that numerous cities collect a municipal earnings tax or very similar but differently named tax. I also discovered St. Louis actually has a very low cost of living compared to most cities of similar size. Also relatively low sales and property taxes. Again, I’m just a doofus for not doing some more research before spouting off like a moron.

— gay dem
2:20 pm July 18th, 2008