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Texas HB 71, If Passed, Would Lower Tax Bills for ‘Non Retail’ Collision Repair to Dealer Rates The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is urging all independent automotive repairers in Texas to contact their state legislators and voice their support for a bill that would bring balance to the state tax laws. Current Texas tax code allows automotive service and collision repair shops owned by new or used car dealerships to be taxed at half the rate of independently owned businesses doing identical work. The tax code in Texas classifies dealership sales (including repair work) as “retail,” allowing their service and repair departments to be included under that category.
The bill consists of a one sentence insertion to create a new clause C of the “retail trade” definition: “the activities classified as Industry Group 753 of the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual published by the federal Office of Management and Budget.” SIC Industry Group 753, Automotive Repair Shops is part of: SIC Major Group 75 - Automotive Repair, Services, and Parking. Texas House Bill 71, if passed, would allow independent repair shops to be taxed the same amount that dealers, parts stores, and tire stores are now See HB 71, Page 54
VOL. 31 ISSUE 4 APRIL 2013
TIAA to Host Annual Convention and Training Event May 25 in San Antonio The Texas Independent Automotive Association will hold its annual convention and training event on May 25 in San Antonio, TX. This convention is designed for shop owners, service writers, managers, shop foremen and anyone in the business involved in selling or management. The event will feature two speakers, one for collision repair and the other for mechanical repair. Michael Anderson of Collision Advice will speak to collision repairers and suppliers with two presentations:
PAINT AND REFINISH TECHNOLOGIES First of 2 Issues
• “Parts Procurement Best Practices” addresses every aspect of parts management, from accounting for parts on a Profit and Loss Statement, how to make adjustments for WIP, the best reports for managing parts Mike Anderson from your management system and much more. • “Negotiation Best Practices—Educate not Alienate” focuses on the negotiation process between an insurer See TIAA to Host Convention, Page 12
• Custom Painter Stories, p. 23. 32, 34, 42, 44, 48 • Companies Talk Tech p. 13 • Tips and Tricks p. 22 • Training and News, p. 8, 33
Indiana Convention & Exhibition Takes Control of the Future: “What are You Doing to Prepare?”
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“Taking Control of Your Future” was the motto of the 2013 Bi-Annual Convention and Technology Exhibition sponsored by the Indiana Auto Body Association in Indianapolis, February 22–23. This two-day convention was a solid mix of collision repair technology, education and industry issues. The freezing rain that hit Indi-
anapolis the night before didn’t slow down this show one bit, although Mike Anderson, who was scheduled to open the show Friday morning, got trapped in Toronto by the storm. IABA Executive Director and manager of the Convention, Tony Passwater, took over and gave the event a great start. The convention was held at the Lincoln College of Technology, a perfect venue for the event. Over 65 ven-
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dor booths populated the main hall and educational programs were in the classrooms. The Industry Panel Discussions were built into the Technology Exhibition. “The success of this event Rich Evans, fabricator, customizer and Autobody News columnist, was a joint effort gets the students’ attention at the Indiana convention (see p. 48) between the Indiana Auto Body Asso- Passwater. “I can’t thank them enough ciation and Lincoln College of Tech- for its success.” The show opened with Tony nology instructors and staff,” said Passwater delivering the theme “The Future Is Not Locked In Stone.” The meeting moved right into a panel discussion “The Future of the Collision Repair Industry,” which featured, Nick Notte, Sterling Auto Body Centers, Jim Keller, 1Collision, Tim Adelman, ABRA and Erick Bickett, FIX Auto. These industry leaders collectively represented MSOs, insurerTony Passwater, Executive Director of the Inowned shops, networks and franchises diana Auto Body Association, opens the 2013 Bi-Annual Convention and Technology Exhibit
See Indiana Convention, Page 24
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