Vermonts Vending Machine And Soda Taxes Kick In

MONTPELIER, VT -- All food and beverages sold through vending machines are now subject to Vermont's 9% meals and rooms tax, effective July 1. A 6% sales tax on sugary drinks is also in effect.

The new levies are part of a tax package that lawmakers passed in May to raise a $30 million in new revenue. Lawmakers expect the sales tax on soft drinks to raise about $8 million a year, and applying the meals tax to vending machines to add about $1 million a year.

Exempt from Vermont's sugary drink tax are products that contain milk, soy, rice or other milk substitutes, those that contain greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume, and those purchased with food stamps.