Art of the Table - Tax Story

UPDATE - Good News!

03/27/06 To our concerned customers, friends & family-

We have seen the light at the end of the tunnel as it relates to our tax situation. Steve and I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you all for your faithful support as we've dealt with our state tax issues. We didn't let you all know about this from the beginning (which was actually April 4, 2004!) because we truly thought it was some sort of bureaucratic mistake and it would quickly go away....So much for that!

In the meantime, hopefully before you hear it from the world ~ thanks to the efforts of many of you ~ we are now out of this mess!!! The real clincher was that we were able to find the accountant of the previous owner of the liquor licences and twist his arm to fill out Renaissance Zone paperwork which relieved the successor liability - the whole cause of the problem. We truly thought they would never accept that paperwork this late in the game, but they surprisingly did. I believe that the State's rapid acceptance of the forms was something that happened because of all of you who got involved and spoke of the injustice.

Through the super sleuthing and media attention by Henry Erb of News 8 a lot of you got active writing letters to our state representatives and calling to action your friends and families. Kudos to State Representative Jerry Kooiman who came out of nowhere and also got active. He met with the State Treasury and the Governor's office - relieving us not only of the actual taxes but the penalties and interest that had accrued along with it!

Although the letter that confirmed all this action looks boring - it's far from it. The bill simply reads balance due of $0. Yes, that's zero dollars and zero cents!!

Although it's a day to pray for so many other things in this world to be good and to be healed...we're rejoicing in this. Thank you again for your prayers, action and constant support of Art of the Table. I will be working with Jerry Kooiman to look forward with the State as to protecting others from going through this same kind of issue. I will encourage them to tweak how the Liquor Control Commission goes about issues such as this as related to licence transfers.

So we look forward to serving you with even more energy and enthusiasm for many, many more years - as we put this nightmare behind us! Thanks again!

Amy & Steve Ruis

02/27/06 Many of you have expressed concern about our situation and we appreciate that deeply. To be clear, we have very much appreciated Henry Erb's investigating the situation on our behalf. Some of you have asked how you can help.

Michigan State House of Representative Jerry Kooiman
251 Capitol Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Fax: 517-373-5696
Phone: 517-373-2668

State Treasurer Jay Rising
Michigan Department of Treasury
Lansing, Michigan 48922
(517) 373-3200

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
PHONE: (517) 373-3400
FAX:(517) 335-6863

Most of all we appreciate your business and friendship.

Stop by and see us!

Amy, Steve and Staff at Art of the Table

Amy Ruis, Owner

Amy Ruis - Owner
Mike Dombrowski - Beverage Specialist

Phone: 616-301-1885
Fax: 616-301-1886
Email: askus@artofthetable.com
Open: 10 to 8, M-F and 9 to 8, Sat.

	Art of the Table -- Tax Story Products for Entertaining A specialty food, beverage & tabletop retail store. 606 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids, MI askus@artofthetable.com
Home Products About Us Art of the Table's Blog Calendar of Events Wine Wednesdays Gallery Contact Us	You may have seen or heard of thesegment about a State Tax burden we "inherited" airing on WOODTV8 (video). UPDATE - Good News! 03/27/06 To our concerned customers, friends & family- We have seen the light at the end of the tunnel as it relates to our tax situation. Steve and I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you all for your faithful support as we've dealt with our state tax issues. We didn't let you all know about this from the beginning (which was actually April 4, 2004!) because we truly thought it was some sort of bureaucratic mistake and it would quickly go away....So much for that! In the meantime, hopefully before you hear it from the world ~ thanks to the efforts of many of you ~ we are now out of this mess!!! The real clincher was that we were able to find the accountant of the previous owner of the liquor licences and twist his arm to fill out Renaissance Zone paperwork which relieved the successor liability - the whole cause of the problem. We truly thought they would never accept that paperwork this late in the game, but they surprisingly did. I believe that the State's rapid acceptance of the forms was something that happened because of all of you who got involved and spoke of the injustice. Through the super sleuthing and media attention by Henry Erb of News 8 a lot of you got active writing letters to our state representatives and calling to action your friends and families. Kudos to State Representative Jerry Kooiman who came out of nowhere and also got active. He met with the State Treasury and the Governor's office - relieving us not only of the actual taxes but the penalties and interest that had accrued along with it! Although the letter that confirmed all this action looks boring - it's far from it. The bill simply reads balance due of $0. Yes, that's zero dollars and zero cents!! Although it's a day to pray for so many other things in this world to be good and to be healed...we're rejoicing in this. Thank you again for your prayers, action and constant support of Art of the Table. I will be working with Jerry Kooiman to look forward with the State as to protecting others from going through this same kind of issue. I will encourage them to tweak how the Liquor Control Commission goes about issues such as this as related to licence transfers. So we look forward to serving you with even more energy and enthusiasm for many, many more years - as we put this nightmare behind us! Thanks again! Amy & Steve Ruis 02/27/06 Many of you have expressed concern about our situation and we appreciate that deeply. To be clear, we have very much appreciated Henry Erb's investigating the situation on our behalf. Some of you have asked how you can help. You can write the following State Officials in support of what we are trying to do on Wealthy Street, a Renaissance Zone in a Michigan Cool City ( more detail about our situation to help you in contacting them). Michigan State House of Representative Jerry Kooiman 251 Capitol Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514 Fax: 517-373-5696 Phone: 517-373-2668 Michigan State House of Representative Michael Sak N1095 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909 517-373-0822 State Treasurer Jay Rising Michigan Department of Treasury Lansing, Michigan 48922 (517) 373-3200 Governor Jennifer M. Granholm P.O. Box 30013 Lansing, Michigan 48909 PHONE: (517) 373-3400 FAX:(517) 335-6863 Most of all we appreciate your business and friendship. Stop by and see us! Amy, Steve and Staff at Art of the Table	Amy Ruis, Owner Amy Ruis - Owner Mike Dombrowski - Beverage Specialist Phone: 616-301-1885 Fax: 616-301-1886 Email: askus@artofthetable.com Open: 10 to 8, M-F and 9 to 8, Sat.