Re: [SLUG] OT - But important

From: Paul M Foster (paulf@quillandmouse.com)
Date: Fri May 07 2004 - 14:48:12 EDT


On Fri, May 07, 2004 at 12:24:12PM -0400, Bob Stia wrote:

> Hello Sluggers,
>
> Here is a message sent me by my ISP. Hope you all know about this.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> The story below under-estimates the impact.  The 14% tax is on top of
> the
> existing 6-7% sales tax and covers purchases of computer components,
> maintenance, repair, etc.   The Florida Department of Revenue has
> adopted
> the somewhat tortured view that a computer switch is somehow the same
> thing
> as the telephone switches that Verizon has in those big buildings they
> own.
> They aren't really at all the same, but the Department of Revenue is
> looking
> to get into your wallet.
>
> If you've got a computer switch, you will owe the tax on everything
> computer
> related you purchase.  Switches include the little D-Link or Linksys
> routers
> that most of our DSL customers use.
>
> Put a baby-monitor cam in the baby's room and connect it to your
> computer
> via a switch and you will owe the tax.
>
> http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2004/5/6/41268.html
>
> Since the Florida House let a bill to stop this new tax from being
> enforced,
> the only one between this tax and you is the governor.  You may want to
> email him at
> jeb.bush@myflorida.com  and you probably want to call your state
> legislators
> and let them know you are unhappy with their performance this spring.
>
> Letters to the editor of the Times and Tribune wouldn't hurt either.
>

This isn't really off topic. It could potentially affect every one of
us. It's been discussed a lot in the media, and the Florida legislature,
for some inexplicable reason, failed to act on it. Despite the fact that
there is broad support for plugging this loophole. I don't want to get
too political, but it probably is worth a word or two to the people that
can do something about it. It won't be taken up again until the
legislature comes in session again-- I don't know when. But hopefully
with enough static about it, they'll take it up quickly, before local
revenue authorities have a chance to actually levy the taxes.

Paul
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