Lawmakers Eying Taxation on Digital Downloads
Color us completely unsurprised, but it's being reported that a number of state politicians are looking at the possibility of imposing new laws to levy taxes on digital downloads as a method of taping up shattered budgets. Yep, anything from music to videos to books are at risk, as a growing number of lawmakers are looking to start collecting taxes from each iTunes track and Kindle eBook you purchase.
Of course, this idea is far from new, and a number of US states already impose such taxes, but it seems that the ever-growing amount of content purchased online has caught the eye of those looking for new streams of tax revenue. Needless to say, the issue as a whole is about as far from black and white as you can get, but we're not asking you to take our word for it -- tap the read link to get a good feel of just how sticky the situation really is. [Source CNET] [Image courtesy of Izzy]
Filed under: Audio/Video
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Roxy @ Apr 17th 2008 12:58PM
What would happen if we all started sending each other a bill for wasting our time. For example, all the time we spend waiting at Dr. visits, waiting for tax refunds (after all, this is owed to us because we OVERPAID), repairs to our autos because roads were not repaired on time, waiting for repairmen, deliverymen, even paperwork?
Doesn't our time count for something? Why should we be nice all the time, if politicians and tax collectors can get away with anything they want? Sure, it's not fair to make a profit on something you made, that didn't have anything to do with Uncle Sam, politics, etc. If I buy the ingredients, taxed, and I put my own time in making the product, free, then how can the government justify taxing the end product? I already paid the taxes on the stuff when I bought each individual ingredient. Should I have to pay taxes on my taxes??
I think we're way out of control. The Gasoline/Oil barons have gouged us for free, while they collect record sales, money I don't think belongs to them, and the government does nothing!!!
We already pay for free food, lodging, medical, trips, etc. for each politician. They don't spend a dime, plus we give them a salary on top of that. Why do they need more???
I need more! What about me?! Nobody pays me extra for wasted time. Maybe we need to seriously start thinking of sending out Bills to all the time-wasters!! (I bet that would shut them up - or worse, they'd probably whine!!)
Roxy in New York
whyit @ Apr 17th 2008 5:53PM
Hmmm? Our Presidents father is one of the biggest oil Tycoons in the world, and oil companies are raking in a record number of profits. Sounds fishy to me! Probably the same reason that pharmaceuticals are so expensive, seeing how the Vice Prez has major stakes in the drug industry. We are taxed and double taxed on every cent that we receive, by the people who don't follow the same rules. The IRS isn't even a legally governing body, what gives those bullies the right to take our lunch money every week, when we already pay them a tax on everything we buy? Maybe ending a senseless Trillion dollar war would save States some money rather than taxing downloads. This is ridiculous, our tax money pays for everything the politicians lavish lifestyles consist of yet they still continue to want more. When will enough be enough? When every American is homeless?
Army @ Apr 17th 2008 8:38PM
All I ever here from the Sheep in this Country is talk................ blah,blah
DO SOMETHING ABOUT UNFAIR TAXES !!
Remember the Alamo