Gym memberships in Ohio may become more affordable if Senate Bill 89 succeeds. Ohio senator Al Cutrona introduced a bill that would turn gym memberships into tax deductions up to $1,500.
If successful, the bill, known as ‘Make America Healthy Again’ would allow taxpayers to deduct up to $1,500 from their taxable income for gym memberships, personal training costs and taxes from those programs.
Cutrona told The Columbus Dispatch, “Right now, here in the state of Ohio, we have an obesity issue. We have a health issue to the tune of two in five Ohioans that makes it the seventh-highest percentage of obesity in the United States. Whatever we can do to incentivize and encourage folks to get healthy and fit they can do so with this bill."
While the concept at-large was supported, some lawmakers have expressed concern for the high-deduction amount that Cutrona originally proposed, arguing that typical gym memberships range from $20 to $50 per month, an annual cost of roughly $600. If the opposition continues, Cutrona has a backup plan in place.
The definition of ‘gym membership’ has also been debated by some lawmakers, concerned that businesses could take advantage of the new tax incentive. Currently, SB89 reads, “Gym memberships are all transactions by which a membership is granted, maintained, or renewed, including initiation fees, membership dues, renewal fees, monthly minimum fees, and other similar fees and dues, by a physical fitness facility such as an athletic club, health spa, or gymnasium, which entitles members to use the facility for physical exercise.”
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Cutrona “would create a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for the first $100 spent on gym memberships or personal training costs for people filing single and $200 for couples filing jointly.”
Cutrona continued, "It costs the state of Ohio a lot of dollars to keep people healthy, and so if they're able to do this by lifestyle changes, this is a big win in the right direction.”
