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$1.40 Monthly VoIP Tax?
Two California towns ask for handouts
While the FCC is expected to rule today that state and local governments can't touch VoIP carriers, two California towns are making last ditch efforts to tax VoIP. The towns of Burbank and El Monte are asking VoIP carriers to collect $1.40 from every subscriber. The states (started by Minnesota) are also gunning for a money grab; even though VoIP providers often don't even have a physical presence in the areas trying to tax them.
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Nightwchtr
join:2001-09-10
Centreville, VA

Nightwchtr

Member

Just what we need more taxes

Sigh, here it comes. More taxes, you thinked they would come up with something more creative then to tax everything in sight.

PinkFloyd0
Premium Member
join:2003-06-25
Wallingford, CT

PinkFloyd0

Premium Member

Re: Just what we need more taxes

I hope the cities don't get a dime I am sick of paying all these taxes, in CT. I have to pay a property tax on my vehicle which is supposedly to keep the roads drivable.. We have pot holes everywhere!
vic102482
Premium Member
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD

vic102482

Premium Member

Re: Just what we need more taxes

said by PinkFloyd0:

I hope the cities don't get a dime I am sick of paying all these taxes, in CT. I have to pay a property tax on my vehicle which is supposedly to keep the roads drivable.. We have pot holes everywhere!
Exactly, what about that fee at the MVA you pay for regirstration? Mine DOUBLED within the last 2 years. Why do I need to pay 150$ for a sticker?

It is NOT about our president or Federal government, the STATES are the ones raping their citizens. Property tax for homes in CT is incredible. You will be paying 3K a year in taxes alone for closet space.:(
merc669
Premium Member
join:2000-08-19
Lexington Park, MD

merc669

Premium Member

Re: Just what we need more taxes

Talk About It!! Maryland rapes you at every turn they can. Not only have my truck tags doubled as Vic said but they also want to tack on an additional tax for cleaning up the Chesapeke. I don't mind that part but its the second increase this year. What do my taxes go for???
vic102482
Premium Member
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD

vic102482

Premium Member

Re: Just what we need more taxes

said by merc669:

Talk About It!! Maryland rapes you at every turn they can. Not only have my truck tags doubled as Vic said but they also want to tack on an additional tax for cleaning up the Chesapeke. I don't mind that part but its the second increase this year. What do my taxes go for???
Yeah this crap sucks! Bush and Kerry could have talked about tax cuts all day, but in reality we are talking about a few hundred dollars annually, this pales in comparison to the ALMOST 3500 I PAY ANNUALLY IN REALESTATE TAXES.

You think you know taxes? Take residency in Maryland. That should be a new catch phrase.

xabba
join:2001-09-26
Summerfield, NC

xabba

Member

Re: Just what we need more taxes

You think that's bad? Try $5,700 a year on Long Island for a 1/4 acre of land. Then add the $470 (and still increasing) electric bill. You might get raped, but we get gang raped. People are heading out of here left and right b/c no one can afford the astronomically high taxes (and the greedy LIPA electric hounds).

en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

en102 to PinkFloyd0

Member

to PinkFloyd0
There's only 2 things that you can be sure of - death and taxes. Actually, I think its more proper to state that its 3 things: death, taxes, and 'service fees'.

Rogue Wolf
An Easy Draw of a Sad Few
join:2003-08-12
Troy, NY

Rogue Wolf

Member

Re: Just what we need more taxes

said by en102:

There's only 2 things that you can be sure of - death and taxes.
Yeah, and guess which one they'd find a cure for first? They could get a LOT of taxes out of us if we lived forever.

ruscorp
I Never Stop Posting For You
Premium Member
join:2002-08-29
Earth

ruscorp to Nightwchtr

Premium Member

to Nightwchtr
said by Nightwchtr:

Sigh, here it comes. More taxes, you thinked they would come up with something more creative then to tax everything in sight.
You knew it would happen soon...
Boggyboy
join:2003-08-16
Niceville, FL

Boggyboy to Nightwchtr

Member

to Nightwchtr
JUST SAY "NO" !!!!!!

Robert
Premium Member
join:2001-08-25
Miami, FL

Robert

Premium Member

Tax this ... Tax That

Man technology in America will never progress if we continue to tax the shit out of everything that comes along.
dsless
join:2001-05-16
Pittsburgh, PA

dsless

Member

Re: Tax this ... Tax That

I am just waiting for the day they tax Toilet Pager by the sheet.......:o

Mike
Mod
join:2000-09-17
Pittsburgh, PA

1 recommendation

Mike to Robert

Mod

to Robert
We need to tax the shit out of things because the government is a blonde teenage girl with Daddy's credit card.

oroper
Patriots Rule
join:2004-06-01
Beverly, MA

oroper

Member

Re: Tax this ... Tax That

lol:D
dsless
join:2001-05-16
Pittsburgh, PA

dsless to Mike

Member

to Mike
lol
vic102482
Premium Member
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD

vic102482

Premium Member

Physical Presence?

Not only that, but you are streaming data over the internet. I am not understanding this. Do they tax services that fax documents over the inernet for a fee to standard phone lines?

This is just a money grab by states, and the way they are acting shows so. This is the exact reason why states do NOT desreve more power in the US.

Next thing you know they will be using right of way ordinances to bull doze houses to make way for a hotel and shopping mall.:(

Real Estate taxes, cell phone taxes, state taxes are crazy. People argue about presidents, but they dont seem to notice the 7 bucks a month tacked onto their cell phone bill or 500 bucks a month tacked onto their mortage.

All this translates to 100s of billions of lost income that they never had in the first place.:(
hitman247
join:2004-05-17
Toronto

hitman247

Member

Re: Physical Presence?

what 500 dollars tacked onto "their mortgage"? are u talking about real estate taxes that your double counting or something?
vic102482
Premium Member
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD

vic102482

Premium Member

Re: Physical Presence?

said by hitman247:

what 500 dollars tacked onto "their mortgage"? are u talking about real estate taxes that your double counting or something?
Yes I am speaking of realestate taxes.:(
solaris8
join:2000-10-04
Brooklyn, NY

solaris8 to hitman247

Member

to hitman247
New York has a mortgage tax, there is a tax on the amount of mortgage your borrowed
vic102482
Premium Member
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD

vic102482

Premium Member

Re: Physical Presence?

said by solaris8:

New York has a mortgage tax, there is a tax on the amount of mortgage your borrowed
WTF does that kinda tax have to do with anything lol. How can they tax how much you have borrowed? What are the rates if you dont mind me asking.
King75
King Of All And Nothing
Premium Member
join:2004-07-31
Stevensville, MD

King75

Premium Member

Taxtation Without Representation

Can they tax them with out a physical presence? Taxation with out Representation. Well they do that to DC already. If they allow them to tax VoIP what is to stop them from taxing internet sales.

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Taxtation Without Representation

If I remember correctly, in California, it is required by law here to tax any e-commerce we make here. Some sites still don't charge, (that might be a mistake) but that does save us a bit of change off the outrageous state-wide 8.25% sales tax.
King75
King Of All And Nothing
Premium Member
join:2004-07-31
Stevensville, MD

King75

Premium Member

Re: Taxtation Without Representation

I mean I have been taxed by companies that have an office or a store in my state (even though I get pissed off there isn't a store but there is a call center and have to pay taxes.) but not on everything.

amenite
The Soylent - It's People
Premium Member
join:2002-11-21
Ridgewood, NJ

amenite

Premium Member

Re: Taxtation Without Representation

said by King75:

I mean I have been taxed by companies that have an office or a store in my state (even though I get pissed off there isn't a store but there is a call center and have to pay taxes.) but not on everything.
It doesn't even have to be a store or call center, it can be one guy on a telephone based in the state, working from home no less. But now I'm wondering, are services subject to that same type of rule? Or is it just for trade in merchandise?
Sunburn
join:2000-10-05
Denver, CO

Sunburn to Thaler

Member

to Thaler
said by Thaler:

If I remember correctly, in California, it is required by law here to tax any e-commerce we make here. Some sites still don't charge, (that might be a mistake) but that does save us a bit of change off the outrageous state-wide 8.25% sales tax.
8.25 percent!

So you guys could pay:

42% Federal income
9.3 State income
8.25 Sales
+ insane property taxes
+ insane car taxes

LoL, probably paying close to 75% of your earned money in taxes after everyone in finished bending you over! WTF! If I had to pay that much tax I just might quit my job and start to collect welfare.
averagedude
join:2002-01-30
San Diego, CA

averagedude

Member

Re: Taxtation Without Representation

said by Sunburn:

said by Thaler:



LoL, probably paying close to 75% of your earned money in taxes after everyone in finished bending you over! WTF! If I had to pay that much tax I just might quit my job and start to collect welfare.
Welfare isn't the problem.
With all the taxes added together and the lack of a living wage - why beat yourself up, just retire early. :P

Capn HardWick
@sprint-hsd.net

Capn HardWick to Sunburn

Anon

to Sunburn
We do need more taxes. You people are dumbasses. One thing we need more of are taxes. All you want to do is to keep all your money for yourselves. We can't be a great country if the government doesnt get a large percentage of your take home pay. I say raise taxes by 30% overall on everything and use the money to bring the KGB over here and teach you people how to be appreciative of the fatherland.

Ungreatfull peons stop yer grippin
apsinkus
join:2002-06-25
Chicago, IL

apsinkus to Thaler

Member

to Thaler
Try soon to be 9.0% sales tax in the city of Chicago! Oh, and my real estate tax on my tiny place makes MD and other states cheap (and I am not even in a "hot" part of the town). I know somebody who is paying 6K for about 1000 sq. ft.
Also, in Chicago we have some creative taxes on our DSL called "amusement tax". Our tags went up big time just couple of years ago and they will go up again. Our city car stickers are up to $80 (unless you have a heavier car like an SUV, that will cost you extra).
We can compalin all we want.
Bottom line, uless we voted, we can't bitch about it! And when we voted we should have bitched about it than.

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Taxtation Without Representation

Oh God, a sales tax race? Jeez...I hope we don't get into that! Knowing LA, we'd probably strive to be #1. :P

And as per property tax, our property values out here are outragous, and so are the taxes on it! You couldn't own the land under an outhouse if you aren't making 6 figure incomes in some places, and they pay a pretty penny on such pricey land.

Our car stickers aren't any better, I know I pay my DMV due of 100+ a year to drive. (on top of some of the nation's most expensive gas prices - just because we can afford it) Also, remember your smog certifications due, and other little auto extras you need to drag in for re-certification.

Man, welfare is lookin' pretty good.
cbiggers
join:2000-08-10
San Luis Obispo, CA

cbiggers to Thaler

Member

to Thaler
Salex tax in California is decided by the county. It is currently 7.25% where I live, and it will vary quite greatly from county to county based on what they have added on to it.

HardwareGeek
join:2003-11-15
Brooklyn, NY

HardwareGeek to King75

Member

to King75
Technically DC does have representation. They vote for Mayors and congressmen.

•••••••

oroper
Patriots Rule
join:2004-06-01
Beverly, MA

1 edit

oroper

Member

I think I have the other side of the coin.....

Seeing as how State aid to local towns have dramatically decreased. What will happen when the revenue from the phone companies are further dwindled?

The State will have to find other ways to make up the difference. How will they do that? More taxes and fee increases (eg: Increased MV fees), and the towns will have to have increases also (more property taxes).

While I'm in no way endorsing a tax for Voip, but as I see it, one way or the other, were going to get screwed:(.
DSLrgm
Premium Member
join:2002-08-22
Oak Park, MI

DSLrgm

Premium Member

The Internet is killing the tax base

This is one more set two loss of service taxes.

Please note that this is a serious blow to the function of many government units there are three alternatives:

Shrink government. This normally equates to shrinking services to citizens, not a real shrinking of government.

Add to income taxes

Add to property taxes

Choose your poison. The governments are only going to make up loss revenue that has the least impact on those that vote them into office.....
averagedude
join:2002-01-30
San Diego, CA

averagedude

Member

Re: The Internet is killing the tax base

What ever happened to just a single tax? Forget being nickle and dimmed to death.

Show me the real tax rate! I bet if people realized just how high the accumulated taxes are there would be a serious grass roots movement to clean up government.

DrTCP
Yours truly

join:1999-11-09
Round Rock, TX

DrTCP to DSLrgm

to DSLrgm
said by DSLrgm:

Shrink government. This normally equates to shrinking services to citizens, not a real shrinking of government.

Add to income taxes

Add to property taxes

Choose your poison.
There is now other ways that are increasingly exploited. They amount to what I call hidden taxes.

Various Adminitrative fees and fines.
Toll Roads

Over here in Central Texas, TX state government is converting the taxpayer paid public roads to toll roads against the protects of most everyone living in the region. Supposedly the access capacity will be tolled but when you dig you find that free capacity will be the frontage roads which are free anyway (and are not available everywhere and has many stops).

When the project is completed Austin will be the place with most tolls in the nation. To give an idea, currently Dallas and Houston has about 12-17miles of toll roads per million residents. Austin area will have 120miles of toll roads per million.

Meanwhile the money saved from public roads can be invested into providing pet projects for politians and creative other incentives for favorities that are somehow left out of the benefits of toll roads.

Talk about corrupt politicians and dirty politics!
ping_me3
join:2004-03-30
Warren, VT

1 recommendation

ping_me3

Member

The money has to come from somewhere!

A $445 Billion Federal deficit and growing ... what's a poor State or City to do to pay for just the basic services you demand? ... Looks like we are going to get just what we voted for; more taxes at the State and local level. A by product of voting for "moral issues" instead of "real" issues. Just "Buck-Up" and stop your complaining!
claudeo
join:2000-02-23
Redmond, WA

claudeo

Member

There used to be...

There used to be something called "revenue sharing" by which the federal government shared back with the states and local governments a fair chunk of the federal taxes. But then came the Reagan era and mindless "tax cuts". Federal tax cuts, that is, which of course resulted in the cutting off of revenue sharing. So the net effect has been a dramatic rise of state and local taxes since the state and local governments have had to make up for at least some of the lost revenue. There have always been expensive federal mandates imposed on states and local governments, like some safety and health standards, but their cost used to be offset by federal funding that has often vanished to hide the Reagan years deficits. Then there are the new unfunded "feel good" federal mandates like new homeland security rules or No Child Left Behind, which is forcing local governments to spend to "improve" education but provides no funding the expensive testing and "train to the test" programs it requires. There is no free lunch for those who work hard for their money. The free lunch is only for those whose money works for them.
rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

rradina

Member

Taxes = Government Crack Cocaine Addiction

I'd give them their tax revenue if they weren't already collecting on the DSL or cable connection. Since they are, why do they think they can double tax it just because I decide to use it for a new service? If I pay for ESPN, Sports Illustrated or MLB services, are they going to ask each to collect a new tax?

Of course we shouldn't ignore the fundamental problem. Today there is little, if any, connection between most taxes and what they fund. Utility taxes create a classic slush-fund used by local municipalities to fund street cleaning, garbage collection, bike trails and the like. Does it make sense to pay for street cleaning based on how much water, electricity, gas or how many phone lines I have? Doesn't it make more sense to fund street cleaning based on property taxes? Some would say sales tax but if I don't live in the community where I shop, I pay the tax but I have zero say in how it's spent.

woody7
Premium Member
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA

woody7

Premium Member

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............................

Instead of trying to trim cost/expenditures, they want to tax.There needs to be some serious account of "our" money.What the politicians don't seem to understand, is tax money is the peoples money and need to spend it wisely.....I went to satelite tv, cause my city couldn't tax me as like a utility....Don't get me wrong,I don't mind taxes aslong as they are "fair" and spent wisely....
apsinkus
join:2002-06-25
Chicago, IL

apsinkus

Member

Well, at least we don't have Swedish taxes!

Have you guys looked at how much Sweden or some other countries tax their residents? Think about it, you could be paying 60% income tax on your tiny wages!
Citizens of those countries SALIVATE over our taxes. Their government increasingly are cutting on services for those taxes too. So...
merc669
Premium Member
join:2000-08-19
Lexington Park, MD

merc669

Premium Member

FCC Rules Against States

This Just in On Fox;

»www.foxnews.com/story/0, ··· ,00.html

aztecnology
O Rly?
Premium Member
join:2003-02-12
Murrieta, CA

aztecnology

Premium Member

Re: FCC Rules Against States

Thanks goodness. Anything to keep the taxman out of my wallet is a great thing...
hitman247
join:2004-05-17
Toronto

hitman247

Member

come on now

you americans really have it good - or we canadians have it really crappy - cant figure it out.

u guys complain about 8% tax. where i live - toronto, we have to pay 15% sales tax on everything. its awful. on top of that we pay close to 30% on income tax on regular income - and about 40% on income over 50000$. on top of this, our car insurance is about 2x what it is in the states - the average for a young adult here is about $300/month.

if you guys were as nice as canadians id definitely move there. hell - the weather beats the lousiness we get here anyways.