Nikki Haley Pushed For A 60% Increase In The State Gas Tax In South Carolina After Promising For Years That She Would Never Do So 

Nikki Haley has flipped on the gas tax. 

In her 2013 State of the State address, Haley said, “But I will not – not now, not ever – support raising the gas tax…” 

In her 2014 State of the State address, Haley proclaimed that she would veto any bill that reached her desk that raises taxes on gasoline.

“I will veto any bill that reaches my desk that raises taxes on gasoline.” 

Haley flipped her position, and posted on her website that she proposes raising the gas tax by 10 cents per gallon to pay for the State’s infrastructure. However, Haley then scrubbed her website after the flip-flop.

“‘If we raise our gas tax by more than 10 cents per gallon, we will equal or surpass Georgia’s tax level and lose our competitive advantage,’ Haley’s website once declared.”

However, in 2015, Haley proposed a 60% increase in the state gas tax in South Carolina. 

“Gov. Nikki Haley’s plan to fix the state’s crumbling infrastructure includes a 59.7 percent increase in the gas tax over three years, a marked shift from what she has said to media and in public addresses. Haley proposed to increase the state gas tax by 10 cents to 26.75 cents per gallon over the next three years, in conjunction with lowering state income taxes from 7 percent to 5 percent and restructuring the state Department of Transportation.”

In January 2016, Haley unveiled her budget proposal which included the gas tax hike.  

Nikki Haley Voted For A 20% Increase In The State Sales Tax In South Carolina 

In 2006, Haley co-sponsored a bill as a state House member that raised the state’s sales tax in South Carolina. 

Nikki Haley Supports A New 23% National Sales Tax 

In December 2012, Haley said she would "support the Fair Tax and any reform that would eliminate income tax" in South Carolina as governor.

The Fair Tax Act would allow for a nationwide "23% retail tax that happens at the checkout counter for new goods and services." Additionally, "The 23% rate is 'tax-inclusive', meaning the percentage you pay is calculated based on the total price of your purchase. In everyday practice, the national sales tax rate under the Fair Tax Act would effectively be 30%."

Haley Repeatedly Paid Fines For Not Paying Her Income Taxes On Time

In 2010, it was reported that Haley repeatedly paid fines for not paying her income taxes on time. However, during the first Republican presidential debate and a frequent line used on the campaign and in media appearances, Haley claims "It's time for an accountant in the White House."

Haley and her husband filed their taxes late starting in 2004.

"Tax records revealed Wednesday showed South Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee Nikki Haley repeatedly paid fines for not paying her income taxes on time. Haley, a fiscal conservative and tea party favorite, cites her experience as an accountant on the campaign trail. But she and her husband have filed their taxes late since at least 2004, according to records released by her campaign. In 2004, the couple received state and federal refunds, but since then the state legislator and her husband have been fined nearly $4,500 on late federal taxes owed. Their tax returns for 2005 and 2006 were each filed more than 14 months late."