Dreaming Tree Farms
Dreaming Tree Farms
  • Home
  • The Farm
    • Who We Are
    • Gallery
    • Join the Team
    • Press
    • Contact Us
  • Farm-To-Salad
    • Overview
    • Salads
    • Order Salad
    • FAQ
    • Meals Tax Issue
  • Specialty Growers
    • Market Produce
    • Collaborators
  • Handcrafted
    • MM Custom Art
    • Upcycled
  • Events
    • Weddings
    • Celebrations
    • Corporate Retreats
  • More
    • Home
    • The Farm
      • Who We Are
      • Gallery
      • Join the Team
      • Press
      • Contact Us
    • Farm-To-Salad
      • Overview
      • Salads
      • Order Salad
      • FAQ
      • Meals Tax Issue
    • Specialty Growers
      • Market Produce
      • Collaborators
    • Handcrafted
      • MM Custom Art
      • Upcycled
    • Events
      • Weddings
      • Celebrations
      • Corporate Retreats

  • Home
  • The Farm
  • Farm-To-Salad
  • Specialty Growers
  • Handcrafted
  • Events

King William County and Dreaming Tree Farms Meals Tax Communications

In the spirit of transparency, included below are screenshots from emails and documents that are relevant to the issue at hand.  


This is the treatment that I've received with all levels of King William leadership after trying to collaborate to resolve this issue in a professional manner.    It is my opinion that allowing this treatment to happen and not doing anything about it is the same as supporting it.


If you haven't already read the summary overview, I encourage you to understand the issues first. 


The only taxable salad, based on the Commonwealth of Virginia Food and Beverage Tax Code are:  "prepackaged single-serving salads consisting primarily of an assortment of vegetables" 

Meals Tax Issue Overview

August 8, 2019: Sally Pearson clearly describes the Farm-To-Salad product as more than a single serving based on her own customer experience.

Sally Pearson interacted with emails describing the weekly salad service over 33 times in the year prior to assessing the tax.

August 7, 2019: Sally presents the Virginia Beach Guideline Document as a way to justify the King William Tax

August 19, 2019: Sally Referred me to Commonwealth's Attorney then Cancels Salad Subscription

August 26, 2019: Meet with County Administrator

image1683

Notes from the meeting

Met with County Administrator, Bobbi Tassinari to explain situation and seek advice on how to resolve. I explained that this was an open risk to by business and I didn't believe the meals tax when written ever envisioned a business such as mine.  Explained that I’ve reviewed code but didn’t come to her to do a line by line code review with her, and would welcome the opportunity with the County Attorney to explain my interpretation so this could be resolved


I presented three possible solutions to the move on from this problem:


1.  Continue the disagreement between the Commissioner and I may end up in litigation and all of this would become public. 

  • KW becomes the county going after their farmers and small business owners for taxes without justification
  • People ask why now, and why haven't they been collected to date? What about back taxes? Wasn’t the Commissioner supposed to track this?
  • Not a good use of anybody's time or money

2. Amend the code - focus on a positive spin

  • Highlight the FDA definition of serving size to avoid any other interpretation
  • Clearly make all prepared salads for off site consumption free from collecting meal tax free 
  • Or add an exception for supporting local farm businesses
  • Promote healthy eating choices
  • Consistent regardless of who is selling the product
  • Tax benefit to the citizens – pay less for healthy food choices
  • No impact to the county as the taxes are not being collected today!

3. Written letter from KW County saying I am not responsible for collecting meals tax (sample upon request)

  • Easiest and best interest for the county and my business 
  • Akin to a special use permit - no one else in county is doing what I'm doing.

September 20 - October 4, 2019: Escalation to County Administrator County Attorney, and Board

October 15, 2019: Sally Abates Erroneous Taxes from Prior Year and Assesses over $1,500 in back taxes on all food sales in all jurisdictions.

October 28, 2019: Sally Pearson Presented Accreditation Award by Board. FOIA shows the audit was never performed.

October 31, 2019: Commissioner of Revenue's office mocks Dreaming Tree Farms Farm-To-Salad at a King William Administration Halloween Party

November 14, 2019: Provide detailed justification why the Meals Tax is not applicable to the Farm-To-Salad product

December 12, 2019: County Attorney response to my 21 page document

January 13, 2020: Email to New Board of Supervisor

February 14, 2020: Letter sent to All of the Board of Supervisors

April 29, 2020: DTF Appeal to the State Tax Commissioner

Summary Rebuttal Referenced in the Appeal to the State Tax Commissioner

May 7, 2020: Email sent to BoS Representative

May 12, 2020: King William Request the State Tax Commissioner to Dismiss the Appeal

May, 2020: Emails sent to BoS Representative

The story continues....

Page 2

Copyright © 2021 Dreaming Tree Farms, LLC - All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Salads
  • Weddings