In 2004, New Jersey implemented a six percent tax on breast enlargement that was proposed by Democrat Assemblyman Joseph Cryan. It has driven cosmetic surgery patients to other states for their procedures and has not generated anything like what New Jersey Democrats had expected.

In 2008 it generated about $9 million and cost an unknown amount to administer. It provoked intense controversy including the charge that it discriminates against middle-class women, who, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, are the bulk of cosmetic surgery patients.

Cryan now wants his tax repealed.

  • “It was a real education,” he stated. “We essentially discouraged the business from happening at all.”

That is a basic principle about taxes: whatever you tax, you discourage.

New Jersey cosmetic surgeon Susan Hughes reported that her practice suffered a ten percent drop in business when people began going to Pennsylvania for their surgery.

  • “We became the tax collector,” she said in an interview. “Now you’re going to repeat that on a national level? You idiots!”

Many doctors felt similar anger agout it. The proposed national tax on cosmetic surgery does not specify procedures; it would apply to all cosmetic surgery.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, about 12 million people had plastic surgery in 2008, spending about $10.3 billion on procedures and products.

For now, there is no tax on cosmetic surgery and at The Cosmetic Surgical Center we offer a full array of procedures for both men and women. Breast implants are still the most popular female cosmetic procedure and for men, male liposuction is very popular.

If you would like to know more about a certain procedure, the best step to take would be scheduling a free personal consultation with Dr. Rai. Please contact our cosmetic surgery office today and we will be happy to set that up for you.