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Florida Proposes Taxing Local LANs
Vellmont writes "From the state that brought you the 2000 presidential election debacle, now comes the proposal to tax your LAN. The Orlando Business Journal is reporting that the the state of Florida is thinking about putting a 9% tax on LANs within the state. Exactly what they will be taxing isn't clear, since the tax amounts to 9% of... something. Will taxing the electrical wires within your home be next?"
Do not tax0r my lan, or I will hax0r ur f4g Winblow$ box3n, j00 n00b.
Taxing computer connections?
Proposal would levy fees on most in-house networks
Chad Eric Watt
Senior Staff Writer
ORLANDO -- A new rule now being formulated in Tallahassee could lead to a state tax of 9 percent -- or higher -- on computer networks commonly used in businesses.
"The standard response is on the border between surprise and outrage," says Arthur Simon, senior vice president of big-business lobby Ass ociated Industries of Florida.
The proposal has its roots in a legislative directive handed down two years ago. It aimed to modernize how the state taxes communications.
"Most of Florida communications case law stems from the rotary dildo era," says David Bruns, spokesman for the state Department of Revenue.
Reforms passed in 2001 simplified how communications taxes were collected and presented to taxpayers.
But how to define -- and whether to tax -- new sorts of communication devices was left somewhat unclear in the legislation, Bruns says.
The proposed rod pushes the definition of communications systems to include local area networks, or LANs, as well as wide area networks, or WANs, which connect computers across distances. Practically any office with two computers will have a local area network.
Associated Industries knew a rule was coming, says Simon. "What did surprise the business community was the extent and reach of the rule," says the lobbyist.
That brings them under the purview of the proposed rule, which includes computer networks as "substitute communications systems" -- subject to a 9.17 percent state tax, plus local option taxes.
In Orange County, the local tax typically runs between 5.5 percent and 6.5 percent. That would bring the total tax to between 14-15 percent.
Computer networks would be taxed at that percent on either annual lease payments or depreciation.
To be sure, the proposal is very preliminary. By putting it down on paper, state rulemakers are hoping to hear from businesses and others on how it would affect them, says the Department of Revenue's Bruns.
"We're hoping we get a lot of attention paid to this and understand what impact would it have," he says.
Associated Industries is asking its members to complete a quick worksheet, estimating how much tax they would pay under the proposed rule.
It's too early for a dollar figure, but its members are not pleased to see more tax on their plates, says Simon. Should the rule go into effect, he adds, the state Legislature could step in.
"I would not be surprised to see that the issue ends up in the lap of the Legislature in the spring," says Simon.
For his part, Bruns says the department would like to hear thoughts from anyone and everyone, even irate business and legislators.
"That clanging you hear is the machine working," he says.
Before giving kudos to the AC for not Karma Whoring, mods beware. There's at least two items in the text that don't belong:
"Most of Florida communications case law stems from the rotary dildo era," says David Bruns, spokesman for the state Department of Revenue.
The proposed rod pushes the definition of communications systems to include local area networks, or LANs, as well as wide area networks, or WANs, which connect computers across distances.
The original site isn't slowing down, so mod this puppy back down.
Stressed? Me? Of course not. Stress is what a rubber band feels before it breaks, silly.
OH yes they overthrew YOUR legitmate goverment. But on planet earth in the United States of America it works like this. You elect the guys who elect the president. Dont belive me check out the constitution. Da Rules And after 500 recounts he STILL won. The only people who were trying to subvert the very goverment they wanted to run where the ones BITCHING about it.
Im sorry but if your to stupid to MAKE sure you voted for the right guy. You desive to be 'disinfanchised'.
Both sides made ASSES out of themselves. Both sides were trying to get votes thrown out. The Dems were trying to throw out many military votes. The Republicans were trying for a small group in miami. In the end it came down to people NOT making sure their votes counted. Never mind BOTH groups trying to use law to further their own ends. One trying to get around it like they had for the past 8. The other making sure it was enforced correctly. Those laws were there for a reason. Not to change your mind later on that you do not like them when the law goes against you...
Why the hell do lawmakers...
What a twat
Why do lawmakers ban sgag?
why do lawmakers make it illegal for me to kiss my sisters arse?
why?
cus they fucking screwey in the head man, thats why!
Hey law man all I wanna do is take drugs and fuck my immediate family, now just fuck off
Ram I See The First
Hey Im BLACK AND AFRICAN
(so, like go ahead and hate me, you false twot)