Taxing My Foot Massage

As part of my Moulin Rouge Spa review, I was the happy recipient of a foot massage. As I pulled my socks back on over my sweet-smelling, newly relaxed feet (and after recently completing a profile about Michigan's new service tax), I couldn't help but consider the fact that come December 1st of this year the same massage will be subject to a 6% tax.

While I'd love to argue that a foot massage is an essential service, it is, in fact, a rather blissful luxury; so I find little argument against including it in the amendment. I am concerned, however, at how the imposition of the tax might affect the service in the future.

The tax on the $35 foot massage will amount to $2.10. The tax will be an annoyance to be sure -- especially when using a gift certificate -- but it is not nearly enough to make me skip the massage. One area that I can see being affected, however, is the tip on the service. Spa etiquette calls for a 15 to 20% tip. My own personal etiquette is to hand over the tip personally in round increments of cash. For a $35 massage, I'd probably just give the masseuse $45, so guess who ultimately pays the $2.10 tax?

Depending on the service considered, method of payment and the tipper in question, the new tax will undoubtedly have an affect on tips. Any thoughts as to how?

Moulin Rouge Spa
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