Negotiators Agree On Tax Cuts

Negotiators for the Kansas House and Senate have agreed on cuts in sales and income taxes.

Three senators and three House members struck a deal Thursday to reconcile numerous differences between their chambers over tax policy.

The proposal would cut the state’s individual income tax rates and phase out income taxes over five years for 191,000 businesses. The sales tax would drop to 5.7 percent in July 2013, from its current 6.3 percent.

However, the negotiators won’t present their plan to either chamber until they get final figures on its potential effects on the state budget.

The plan is expected to provide at least $119 million in tax relief during the fiscal year that begins July 1 and at least $500 million for the following fiscal year.