Here we go again with another proposed internet sales tax...
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"For the first time, online merchants would be forced to collect sales taxes for all of America's estimated 9,600 state and local taxing authorities." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324493704578432961601644942.html?mod=hp_opinion[^]
Steve Wellens
The article wrote:
Small online sellers will therefore have to comply with tax laws created by distant governments in which they have no representation, and in places where they consume no local services.
I seem to recall that this issue caused some significant problems in the past. 1773 in Boston, I think. Time to start dressing up as Indians again, I suggest.
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Why? If I buy something locally at a brick-and-mortar then I have to pay sales tax. Why should the fact the I buy over the internet mean I am exempt from paying that tax? Legally, currently, I am not. I have to pay what's known as a "use tax" which is usually the same rate as the "sales tax", but I have to do that on the honor system. But, many people are ignorant of that law. It's clear that sales tax revenues are down because people are buying more on the internet and not paying the "use tax". It's only fair to all involved that internet sales be taxes the same as any other business. However, it is burdensome and error prone to make each merchant figure out how to charge the sales tax for each locality. Especially since the tax laws and rates are constantly changing. CC companies have the firepower to be able to do this correctly. Hence my suggestion.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert EinsteinThe problem is governments in other states would be taking your money and you have NO say in what is done with it. You have no representation in the entity that is taking your money.
Steve Wellens
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"For the first time, online merchants would be forced to collect sales taxes for all of America's estimated 9,600 state and local taxing authorities." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324493704578432961601644942.html?mod=hp_opinion[^]
Steve Wellens
I think the real question we need to be asking is why is Sales Tax still relevant? Local and State governments have a higher profit margin than many businesses and the amount of money these entities spend is obscene. The argument needs to move away from "paying your fair share" into "why is the government getting so much money" Over 50% of my gross revenue goes to the government in the form of taxes; I would be perfectly happy with them taking and spending less.
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. "And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" -- Robert Frost "All users always want Excel" --Ennis Lynch
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The problem is governments in other states would be taking your money and you have NO say in what is done with it. You have no representation in the entity that is taking your money.
Steve Wellens
No that's not true in either case. Since I am buying something from a place in AZ and I live in NY, I would pay the sales tax to NY at the rate of NY, not AZ. So yes, I would have input into how the tax money is spent. It's not the merchant that pays the tax, it's the buyer. The merchant merely collects the tax, just like today. What's not clear is who has the authority to enforce such a scheme.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einstein -
I think the real question we need to be asking is why is Sales Tax still relevant? Local and State governments have a higher profit margin than many businesses and the amount of money these entities spend is obscene. The argument needs to move away from "paying your fair share" into "why is the government getting so much money" Over 50% of my gross revenue goes to the government in the form of taxes; I would be perfectly happy with them taking and spending less.
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. "And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" -- Robert Frost "All users always want Excel" --Ennis Lynch
Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:
Over 50% of my gross revenue goes to the government in the form of taxes;
? how?
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"For the first time, online merchants would be forced to collect sales taxes for all of America's estimated 9,600 state and local taxing authorities." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324493704578432961601644942.html?mod=hp_opinion[^]
Steve Wellens
it's not a new tax. it's stricter enforcement of existing taxes.
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I think the real question we need to be asking is why is Sales Tax still relevant? Local and State governments have a higher profit margin than many businesses and the amount of money these entities spend is obscene. The argument needs to move away from "paying your fair share" into "why is the government getting so much money" Over 50% of my gross revenue goes to the government in the form of taxes; I would be perfectly happy with them taking and spending less.
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. "And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" -- Robert Frost "All users always want Excel" --Ennis Lynch
Agreed. And gross, obscene and extreme are the correct words to describe the gov't and taxation.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einstein -
it's not a new tax. it's stricter enforcement of existing taxes.
They are existing, but the Supremes said the gov't can't make out-of-state entities collect tax for out-of-state taxing authorities because it's too great a burden. This was of course in the days before the internet (1992), and it may be able to be implemented in an easier way through the CC companies.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einstein -
They are existing, but the Supremes said the gov't can't make out-of-state entities collect tax for out-of-state taxing authorities because it's too great a burden. This was of course in the days before the internet (1992), and it may be able to be implemented in an easier way through the CC companies.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einsteinahmed zahmed wrote:
and it may be able to be implemented in an easier way through the CC companies.
billingAmt += getStateSalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); billingAmt += getLocalSalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); billingAmt += getCitySalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); none of those functions need be more complicated than a DB lookup and a multiplication.
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ahmed zahmed wrote:
and it may be able to be implemented in an easier way through the CC companies.
billingAmt += getStateSalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); billingAmt += getLocalSalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); billingAmt += getCitySalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); none of those functions need be more complicated than a DB lookup and a multiplication.
That's basically true. There are companies out there already that supply the software and the updates.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einstein -
No that's not true in either case. Since I am buying something from a place in AZ and I live in NY, I would pay the sales tax to NY at the rate of NY, not AZ. So yes, I would have input into how the tax money is spent. It's not the merchant that pays the tax, it's the buyer. The merchant merely collects the tax, just like today. What's not clear is who has the authority to enforce such a scheme.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einsteinahmed zahmed wrote:
Since I am buying something from a place in AZ and I live in NY, I would pay the sales tax to NY at the rate of NY, not AZ. So yes, I would have input into how the tax money is spent. It's not the merchant that pays the tax, it's the buyer. The merchant merely collects the tax, just like today.
Well said. :thumbsup:
The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative. -Winston Churchill America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. -Oscar Wilde Wow, even the French showed a little more spine than that before they got their sh*t pushed in.[^] -Colin Mullikin
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Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:
Over 50% of my gross revenue goes to the government in the form of taxes;
? how?
My guess is income tax, property tax, and sales tax.
The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative. -Winston Churchill America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. -Oscar Wilde Wow, even the French showed a little more spine than that before they got their sh*t pushed in.[^] -Colin Mullikin
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Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:
Over 50% of my gross revenue goes to the government in the form of taxes;
? how?
Federal + Total Fica + Sales Tax + Property Tax: 28+15+6.5+2=51.5 And this doesn't count or make accounts for fuel taxes, internet taxes, phone taxes, tag and title taxes, hotel taxes, restaurant taxes (some places have them, VA), travel taxes, postage taxes, tire tax, battery tax. Really the list goes on, but the point is I feel very confident in saying that 50% is an accurate minimum for me. This, of course, doesn't reflect, my savings for my retirement. Because I doubt I will get a dime from "Social Security" or more accurately, "How to buy votes legally"
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. "And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" -- Robert Frost "All users always want Excel" --Ennis Lynch
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ahmed zahmed wrote:
and it may be able to be implemented in an easier way through the CC companies.
billingAmt += getStateSalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); billingAmt += getLocalSalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); billingAmt += getCitySalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); none of those functions need be more complicated than a DB lookup and a multiplication.
Chris Losinger wrote:
none of those functions need be more complicated than a DB lookup and a multiplication.
Calculating the correct tax isn't the hard part. The seller then has to give all of the collected tax money to the proper governments.
The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative. -Winston Churchill America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. -Oscar Wilde Wow, even the French showed a little more spine than that before they got their sh*t pushed in.[^] -Colin Mullikin
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ahmed zahmed wrote:
and it may be able to be implemented in an easier way through the CC companies.
billingAmt += getStateSalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); billingAmt += getLocalSalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); billingAmt += getCitySalesTax(salePrice, zipCode); none of those functions need be more complicated than a DB lookup and a multiplication.
Chris Losinger wrote:
none of those functions need be more complicated than a DB lookup and a multiplication.
Not entirely, there are areas such as New York and places in Colorado where it is split between streets. One side pays one set of sales tax the other a different. Those are just two I know off the top of my head, there are more.
Common sense is admitting there is cause and effect and that you can exert some control over what you understand.
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Chris Losinger wrote:
none of those functions need be more complicated than a DB lookup and a multiplication.
Calculating the correct tax isn't the hard part. The seller then has to give all of the collected tax money to the proper governments.
The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative. -Winston Churchill America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. -Oscar Wilde Wow, even the French showed a little more spine than that before they got their sh*t pushed in.[^] -Colin Mullikin
I had forgotten about that aspect, even though I had mentioned the merchant collecting the tax. Doh!
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einstein -
Chris Losinger wrote:
none of those functions need be more complicated than a DB lookup and a multiplication.
Not entirely, there are areas such as New York and places in Colorado where it is split between streets. One side pays one set of sales tax the other a different. Those are just two I know off the top of my head, there are more.
Common sense is admitting there is cause and effect and that you can exert some control over what you understand.
WTE! Who the hell thought of that!
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einstein -
WTE! Who the hell thought of that!
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert EinsteinI don't think you actually want an answer for that question, as I think you already know... :laugh:
The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative. -Winston Churchill America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. -Oscar Wilde Wow, even the French showed a little more spine than that before they got their sh*t pushed in.[^] -Colin Mullikin
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Federal + Total Fica + Sales Tax + Property Tax: 28+15+6.5+2=51.5 And this doesn't count or make accounts for fuel taxes, internet taxes, phone taxes, tag and title taxes, hotel taxes, restaurant taxes (some places have them, VA), travel taxes, postage taxes, tire tax, battery tax. Really the list goes on, but the point is I feel very confident in saying that 50% is an accurate minimum for me. This, of course, doesn't reflect, my savings for my retirement. Because I doubt I will get a dime from "Social Security" or more accurately, "How to buy votes legally"
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. "And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" -- Robert Frost "All users always want Excel" --Ennis Lynch
ah ok. so, you're not talking about business taxes, you're talking about your own personal taxes?
Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:
Federal + Total Fica + Sales Tax + Property Tax: 28+15+6.5+2=51.5
Property tax isn't based on your income, so it can't really count it in the same bucket as the others. Sales tax isn't based on income, either. it only counts for the things you actually purchase which aren't exempt (ex. food, in most states). and do you actually pay both halves of FICA? if you do, then, OK, you are talking about a business. but, in that case, a chunk of your sales taxes can count as biz expense. and if you're incorporated, then you don't have to pay both halves of FICA. and, are you sure you have a 28% effective federal tax rate? that would be pretty awesome! i do well enough to hit the 28% bracket, but my effective rate is 20%, because we have a marginal tax system.
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I don't think you actually want an answer for that question, as I think you already know... :laugh:
The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative. -Winston Churchill America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. -Oscar Wilde Wow, even the French showed a little more spine than that before they got their sh*t pushed in.[^] -Colin Mullikin
Indeed.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einstein