Hindus, yoga teachers question Mo. sales tax

By BETSY TAYLOR Associated Press Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Yoga practitioners are criticizing a Missouri sales tax that applies to yoga classes, claiming they should be exempt because the lessons include spiritual elements.

A Missouri Department of Revenue official sent letters to 140 yoga and Pilates centers on Oct. 13, telling them they must collect sales tax on the fees for their classes and services and pay them beginning Nov. 1, if they weren't already.

The sales tax on money paid to places of "amusement, entertainment or recreation, games and athletic events" isn't new.

But the tax took many Missouri yoga instructors by surprise. They're bristling at the notion that the ancient practice could be construed as recreation or entertainment.