b'Some Cautionary advice on Environmental Surcharges and FeesWritten by Jon MeijerFor the second time in less than a week, I was asked the if it wasfee on their invoice, the drycleaner should be aware of potential OK to add an environmental fees/surcharge to our customersareas of concern and possible pitfalls.invoices to help cover the cost of hazardous waste disposal. Although, we do not receive this kind of question too often, itBusiness would be well advised to contact a local attorney to got me thinking about the number of businesses around theseek additional information regarding specic state rules and country that passes on environmental fees to their customers.requirements before incorporating an environmental surcharge And its been a while since, DLI and other trade publicationsor fee on their invoices. In the meantime, the following is a list have written about this issue. While it is common place forof some of the more critical items a drycleaner will need to many types of businesses to add an environmental fee/surchargeconsider.to the customers invoice, its still not the norm in the drycleaning industry. These fees are used to help recover the cost of hazardous materials handling/storage, cleanup1. An Environmental Fee or Surcharge is Different from a programs, and similar environmentally related items. Over theTax Owners should never refer to this fee as a tax, years, several cases have been brought to the courts even thosegovernment fee, compliance fee, or any other type of fee involving drycleaners. While this is uncommon, it is importantthat might lead consumers to believe that it is part of a to know that if you do or are thinking about charging angovernment-related tax. The owner could be liable for the environmental surcharge/fee that you follow some basicpayment of the tax to the taxing authority if the fee was guidelines. implied to be a tax.Areas of Concern & Potential Pitfalls 2. Disclose and Explain Your fee on the Invoice and Use a To begin with, DLI does not make any endorsementsCall Ofce Sign to Explain the Same regarding the use of an environmental surcharge or fee. TheWhen explaining ones fee, the drycleaner should suggest use of an environmental surcharge/fee is a decision madethat it is part of their business expense in complying with individually by business owners based on their individuallocal and federal regulations, or something to that effect, business needs. However, if an owner wishes to incorporate abut in no case, is it a tax!Midwest Drycleaning & Laundry Institutewww.MWDLI.org / 765-969-5745 \x008'