Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has engineered a significant shift in the way that taxes on contracts awarded to Navajo-owned businesses are treated, resulting in an economic windfall of $140 million for the community. As reported by Nygren News, the reforms, spearheaded by Effie Edsitty, executive director for the Office of the Navajo Tax Commission, are designed to make sure that the money generated on tribal land stays within the tribe's economy.
The initiative has seen Edsitty’s office not only to track but also to steadily increase the Nation's nine separate taxes, thereby securing vital resources for the community's use. The strategy appears to be paying off, as Edsitty told Nygren News, with a staggering $29 million rise in tax revenue primarily through "sales tax, non-retail" areas such as construction and professional services. This surge has exceeded their projections, bringing in "an excess of $29 million, which is extra money for the general funds."
This revenue supports a significant portion of the Navajo Nation’s governmental operations, which serve roughly 420,000 citizens and maintain a workforce of 4,000 employees. With the Office of the Navajo Tax Commission now overseeing more than 5,500 taxpayers, Edsitty pointed out the growth stating, "We register anywhere from five to 15 businesses a day, so it is growing," showcasing the demand for increased capacity to manage the swelling tax base.
There is an expectation set by President Nygren that further investment and focus on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will only continue to boost these numbers into fiscal year 2025. Nygren himself expressed great satisfaction with the commission’s performance, stating, "We are thrilled to hear that our Office of Navajo Tax Commission, led by Effie Edsitty, is keeping our Navajo dollars in our tribal treasury." He specifically noted taxation measures directed at improving health, like those targeting junk food, as one of the significant efforts being funded by tax collections.
Encouraging local economic empowerment, Nygren has urged Navajo citizens to spend within the Nation and to take initiative in registering their businesses to further circulate money within the community. For more insights into the taxation strategies of the Navajo Nation, interested parties can visit the Navajo Tax Commission's website.
