Navajo Nation to increase sales tax

Ben Shelly

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly is expected to sign a bill this week that would increase the tribe's sales tax by 1 percent. 

The Farmington Daily Times reports that the Navajo Nation Council passed the bill last week. Money from the increase would go toward education and energy development.

 The increase from 4 percent to 5 percent would begin in January. Shelly spokesman Erny Zah says the sales tax should help decrease the tribe's dependency on federal funding. Zah says the tribe receives more than 75 percent of its funding from the federal government.

Navajo Nation to increase sales tax