Chicago: "amusement tax" and "personal property tax" for Netflix and cloud services

[Captain N]

If Netflix wants to annoy and lose consumers/customers then it is good.

I'm fairly sure that Netflix isn't going to lose a bunch of people over a <$1 tax. Netflix costs $8/month and will see about a 9% tax in Chicago when this goes into effect.

[Reeve]

While I can't say I care overmuch about a 9% sales tax on something I pay $8 a month for, I don't like the precedent all that much.

That said, I'm not sure why they shouldn't charge the same sales tax on internet service sales that they do on brick and mortar sales.

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If Netflix wants to annoy and lose consumers/customers then it is good.

Uhhhh, Netflix isn't the one imposing the tax.

[Post]

"We figured you needed more reasons to pirate!"

[Elegiac]

"We figured you needed more reasons to pirate!"

You mean like how sales tax is an excuse to steal?

[Post]

You mean like how sales tax is an excuse to steal?

It probably is to some people (if they randomly introduce it somewhere where it hasn't been), physically stealing is a lot tougher and more risky than pirating digital shit though.

[Paranoid Android]

But wait.....taxes always makes stuff better...right?

Yes, Chicago looking to use a "sales tax" over an internet transaction is unheard of until now. I don't see why they cannot tax the internet for sales as a source of revenue. Like any sales tax, am I happy to pay it. No, but I remember paying sales tax for cable and Netflix is in the same category. Netflix and many other stream companies, probably have an advantage by not having to pay taxes.

[breadisfunny]

add a draenei tax to that as well. can't have the draenei running around.

[Flutterguy]

I can't wait for a happiness tax.

Followed by a melancholy fee and a depression fine.

[Hooked]

I can't wait for a happiness tax.

Followed by a melancholy fee and a depression fine.

Actually that's one tax I wouldn't mind paying.

[Paranoid Android]

OMG, you drama queens! They are taxing a source of sales revenue. Some in this forum are acting like death itself.

[Deleted]

"The amusement tax applies to charges paid for the privilege to witness, view or participate in an amusement," states the city's new ruling (pdf).

"This includes not only charges paid for the privilege to witness, view or participate in amusements in person but also charges paid for the privilege to witness, view or participate in amusements that are delivered electronically."

Sources:
- http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/C...lix-Tax-134367
- http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...701-story.html
- http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/1/887...etflix-spotify

This is what you get when you refuse to increase normal taxes.

[Collegeguy]

Dirty peasants need to stop having amusement and get back to work.

[breadisfunny]

@creamy flames. your avatar offends me. such a sinful signature too.

[Wildtree]

Democratic party at its best...keep taking from the haves until everyone is a have not.

Omaha, NE......... As red a state as it gets......
Amusement tax in effect for years already...
Not on Netflix though....
However, on visiting concerts, going for dinner at a restaurant.. the most common pleasures, taxed.
state revised legislature to make it legal under state laws
http://law.justia.com/codes/nebraska...atute-18-1203/

[Stacyrect]

Wrong thread

[Rhine101]

add a draenei tax to that as well. can't have the draenei running around.

Yo. fight me IRL m8!

[Celista]

OMG, you drama queens! They are taxing a source of sales revenue. Some in this forum are acting like death itself.

Eh I understand the backlash after having lived in Chicago...the special tax on dining out (yes that is a special tax) + liquor taxes can be significant. Plus they have both sales and income tax, and the usual sin tax on cigarettes and I'm sure other things that I've forgotten about or are not aware of.

[Captain N]

Eh I understand the backlash after having lived in Chicago...the special tax on dining out (yes that is a special tax) + liquor taxes can be significant. Plus they have both sales and income tax, and the usual sin tax on cigarettes and I'm sure other things that I've forgotten about or are not aware of.

We have a 30 cent per gallon Gas Tax which puts us usually 50 cents a gallon more expensive than the closest suburb.

[Theinquisition]

I mean it's one thing to look at tax increases when absolutely necessary, but Chicago is notoriously corrupt. I wonder if the city has done an audit of its expenses, and made it public access.

[Hiricine]

The real problem is that the people of Illinois need to gather the political will to Amend their Constitution to allow changes to pension payments. It'd stink to be waiting for the pension and not get as much as you were promised or as fast, but right now people are landing on the same overspent pension plans and the existing pensioners are bound to not receive anything.