http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/21/business/pew.php

When is the next flight to the Netherlands?

Darn, they discovered our secret!

Actually, this exists in the US.

Use your computer in your home business, fill out a Schedule C and take the newly purchased PC as a small business deduction. You can either take the full amount in that same year, or amortize it with depreciation over three years. Comes right off the top, as a reduction of income, saving you xx%, where xx is your tax rate based on income, typically between 25 and 28 percent.

Half the reason I continue to maintain some money-losing websites is that it qualifies me to write off those losses, and all the computer equipment I need(!) on the Schedule C.

Sweet, but you've got to know it's there. TurboTax Premier (which includes the Schedule C) will help you through the process.

[edit: Remember, all business-related expenses are deductible in this way, including internet connection, equipment, trade publications, SOFTWARE, etc.]

swallace wrote:

Actually, this exists in the US.

This exists in the US only if you are self employed or you own a company. The article posted reads (by my interpretation) that average citizens get tax breaks for pc purchases and internet service fees.

US Internal Revenue Service Schedule C is to record profit or loss from business.

Most americans do not own and operate their own business and are not self employed, so they arent privy to this tax deduction.

George W. Bush is not concerned with how many americans have access to a computer or the internet, nor does he have any concern with making it cheaper for average americans to gain access to the internet. George W. is concerned with lining the pockets of his retirement fund.

In the US companies charge as much as they can unless the government subsidises what the company is "giving" to the consumer. So, in short, if the US Government offered ISPs a tax break to provide cheaper service to consumers, or the government gave the tax break directly to the people, then more people in the US would be able to afford broadband service and personal computers.

swallace wrote:

Actually, this exists in the US.

I agree. I have a full time job, but do consulting on the side because in addition to the extra cash, I can deduct (portions used for business) my PC, Internet connection, Computer Magazine Subscriptions, Book Purchases, etc.

However, I pay $45 a month for 5mbps internet. In rther countries you can get 20-50mbps for about $20 a month. Would love to have that!

BOb

Devildog74 wrote:

swallace wrote:

Actually, this exists in the US.

This exists in the US only if you are self employed or you own a company. The article posted reads (by my interpretation) that average citizens get tax breaks for pc purchases and internet service fees.

US Internal Revenue Service Schedule C is to record profit or loss from business.

Most americans do not own and operate their own business and are not self employed, so they arent privy to this tax deduction.

George W. Bush is not concerned with how many americans have access to a computer or the internet, nor does he have any concern with making it cheaper for average americans to gain access to the internet. George W. is concerned with lining the pockets of his retirement fund.

In the US companies charge as much as they can unless the government subsidises what the company is "giving" to the consumer. So, in short, if the US Government offered ISPs a tax break to provide cheaper service to consumers, or the government gave the tax break directly to the people, then more people in the US would be able to afford broadband service and personal computers.

Dude, relax.

First, 'own[ing] a company' is as easy is saying to yourself, 'Hey! I'm a company!' Your social security number becomes your Federal Tax ID. Call yourself a company and you are! Drop the class warfare stuff about how it's tough to 'own a company' and get on board.

I work full time, but have a company (Because I said so!). I do my taxes, take all the legal deductions and, thank you very much, the government funds 28% of all my computer and computer-related equipment. My websites, most of which show a net loss, provide a service, AND allow me to re-coup a portion of my expenses by reducing my tax burden.

Don't act like the rules are wrong just because you haven't read the rulebook. 'Most Americans' are idiots. They don't know how to drink from the trough unless some socialist democrat takes them personally to it and plunges their head in it.

Not me! I'm an American in the Theodore Roosevelt sense. Self-sufficient, law-abiding and able to think for myself. If there's a legal advantage I will take it. There's no being 'privy' to anything, it's just a desire to wean yourself from the idea that people have to send you an engraved invitation before you can play. That kind of thinking is simply un-American, and I have no respect for those people.

The formula is simple: Offer a service that people want, and you will be rewarded.

The formula that doesn't work: Wait for the government to tell you what businesses you should be in, then wait for the government check/rebate in order to get in.

I'm sure you'll counter with the Netherland example, but I would ask you, even though they have a higher per capita usage of PCs and the internet via the method you propose, are they the world leader in technology development and standards?

I'll ignore the GWB comments as typical socialist rantings...

I thought the article was going to be about drugs being legal.

psandler wrote:

I thought the article was going to be about drugs being legal.

haha . Yeah, I think my country gives the term 'Coffee shop' a really bad name .

Btw, no politics please. I don't mind the regular bush bashing myself, but let's keep it sane here, as tehre are a lot of people reading here from a lot of countries and they all have their own opinions about what's right and wrong outside the programmer's arena .

Just to clarify, I was simply making 3 points, with my post; the first was to simply clarify your statement for the casual reader not from the USA, and the second was to point out that its cool when governments actually do productive things for their people (i.e. tax breaks for pc's, government sponsored health care, governmet sponsored education, etc.), and the third was to see what kind of response my Bush bash would get from a fellow Okie (I got what I wanted ).

swallace wrote:

Drop the class warfare stuff about how it's tough to 'own a company' and get on board.

1. I have run my own sucessful s-corp for the 4 years, it is tough, and I am not complaining, profits are good. My wife and I are in the top 10% tax bracket for US tax payers; we dont mind the taxes, I just wish the people we elect would do more with the money.

swallace wrote:

Don't act like the rules are wrong just because you haven't read the rulebook. 'Most Americans' are idiots. They don't know how to drink from the trough unless some socialist democrat takes them personally to it and plunges their head in it.

1. Ouch, I just like bashing on Bush. I have no issues with the laws, just the president, and his cabinet. I mean, I never thought I would live longenough to see the vice president shoot somone (at least he did get an attorney).

swallace wrote:

That kind of thinking is simply un-American, and I have no respect for those people.

1. Wow!, atleast we know how you feel, which is unfortunate and why america is where its at today (IMO).

swallace wrote:

I'm sure you'll counter with the Netherland example, but I would ask you, even though they have a higher per capita usage of PCs and the internet via the method you propose, are they the world leader in technology development and standards?

But neither is the USA.

That being said, I agree with Frans, we dont need to start throwing politics around llblgen's forum, if you want to share opinions across email, feel free to look me up in my profile.