Planet Fitness Membership Costs Increase with Obamacare Tax

Some Planet Fitness members discovered an increase in their membership costs this year. However, the reason isn’t technically a hike in fees by Planet Fitness, but a result of the Affordable Health Care Act.

As reported by myfoxny.com, a sign posted outside of a Planet Fitness location reads: “Holders of Black Card memberships will be required to pay a tax on these memberships Starting January 1, 2014 as required by the implementation of provisions of the Affordable Health Care Act. This is not a change in your membership fee but rather a tax required by the government.”

Black Card members are having to pay extra because their memberships include tanning privileges. The Affordable Health Care Act carries an extra tax on tanning salons, which is passed on to the customer as an excise tax. For Black Card members, this means a 10-percent tax, adding up to an extra $24/year in taxes. 

Along with tanning, Black Card members are allowed free use of all Planet Fitness locations. However, even members who don’t tan are subject to the tax.