Christmas Tree Association says tax was fee not intended for consumers

NBC NATIONAL NEWS — The National Christmas Tree Association wants people to know there is no tax on Christmas trees for everyday consumers.

The Obama administration is scrapping plans for the fifteen-cent fee on each Christmas tree sold. The money was intended to pay for a promotional program.

The National Christmas Tree Association blames conservatives for painting the fee as a tax. Feds have decided not to approve the fee right now.

The National Christmas Tree Association asked the agency to approve the promotion and the fee on retailers, which it says would not raise prices for the everyday Christmas tree buyer.

"There`s not a tax,” a representative for the National Christmas Tree Association, explained. “You`re not going see anything on your receipt that there`s 15 cents added on to it. It`s simply a program by the growers, for the growers, to benefit the industry."

The association, which is facing stiff competition from the artificial tree industry, says most growers were happy to pay the extra money for a "got milk?"- style ad campaign.