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Congress to Revisit Virtual Goods Taxation
News.com has the word that congress is set to re-visit taxing virtual goods, a concept they shelved a while back in order to consider the matter more fully. That's given the Congress' Joint Economic Committee time to come to a decision about what exactly the value of virtual goods means for players and game-makers. An economist with the group told CNet to expect their report sometime next month. "What that report will say is unknown, as the committee has kept entirely quiet about its thoughts. However, it's clear that something will happen. 'Given growth rates of 10 to 15 percent a month, the question is when, not if, Congress and IRS start paying attention to these issues,' [senior economist Dan] Miller, who is a fan of virtual worlds and economies, told CNET News.com in December. 'So it is incumbent on us to set the terms and the debate so we have a shaped tax policy toward virtual worlds and virtual economies in a favorable way.'"
I can't wait to do tax write offs for giving gold out to newbies.
God spoke to me.
I'll just remit my copper to the IRS via in-game mail. They can use the gold they collect to buy more Fel Iron shells my engineer makes for shipment to the troops in Iraq. That will drive the cost sky high. I'll be rich and can get that elite flying mount soon!
Really though can't the government just but out and leave things alone once in a while?
I think President Reagan said it best:
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."
So when I sign up for a game I will have to play on a pre-taxed server, where everone's gold intake is lowered by 25% and the difference is deposited into a IRS avatar account. The in-game economy will be effected 0% and Uncle Sam will lose money paying someone to spam the trade channels with "BUY 5mil CREDITS ONLY $24 @ IRS.gov/mmorpg"
We are all just people.
As long as I can pay with virtual money.
So that's why politicians are always voting themselves pay raises!
- RG>
Hey pal, this isn't a pleasantforest, so don't waste my time with pleasantries!
I take it a dead body rolling downhill would be taxed, regulated and subsidized and in some states allowed to vote.
Seriously, only a madman would even conceive of such an idea. Personally I say put every single person who is involved with this into an insane asylum and throw away the key.
They're already in congress.
== Jez ==
Do you miss Firefox? Try Pale Moon.
It's Apr 15, 1837
You have 14 oxen
Your water barrels are 12% full
You have 2.3 days of rations
You have $43
You have traveled 1349 miles
(H)unt (T)rade (G)o (P)ay Taxes
>G
It's Apr 16, 1837
You have 15 oxen
Your water barrels are 8% full
You have 1.3 days of rations
You have $43
You have traveled 1378 miles
There is a warrant out for your arrest for tax evasion.
(H)unt (T)rade (G)o (P)ay Taxes
>