Governor wants extra taxes on cable TV and satellite radio

[The Voice of Reason]

www.democratandchronicle.com

Quote from the newspaper article: Paterson stated that he wanted to:

"imposing a sales tax on cable and satellite radio and on music, movie and game downloads through services like iTunes."

Oh joy! Now we get to pay more for the same repeat programs on Cable TV. And for those of you who enjoy satellite radio, with no commercials, start shelling out more money to hear your favorite tunes or shows.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Overstepping the Boundaries?

I can see how he would enforce cable TV, but isn't he getting into interstate commerce when he tries to tax satellite radio and download services? If the servers aren't in NYS, what's to stop them from telling our Gov. to "go fish"?

I can see a huge business opportunity here if you happen to own an out-of-state secure proxy server...

 

[candy_kisses69]

Charging an extra for cable tv is ridiculus. Its already enough as it is already and for music on Satellite and Itunes is just as bogus. I'm glad I don't download music on the net.

 

[Element9]

All of a sudden that "cow tax" for methane emissions is sounding a little better.

mmmmmMooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[midnight_skulker]

All of a sudden that "cow tax" for methane emissions is sounding a little better.

mmmmmMooooooooooooooooooooooooo

What DOESN'T the governor want to tax in his next budget>

 

[scooterodell]

They should start taxing political contributions over $500... that would make a pretty penny.

 

[TVJunkie12]

Just wait for the national tax increases to go along with the state tax increases. Man am I glad I left N.Y.!

 

[SirRoxalot]

Syn-tax

Just wait for the national tax increases to go along with the state tax increases. Man am I glad I left N.Y.!

That makes you subject to the "I Left NY" tax for former NY residents. There are additional taxes for former residents of NYC and Yonkers.

BTW, there will also be taxes on R-I posts, but only if you post on a board that discusses radio or TV in a NY market, or if you post from a NY market.

Anyone who complains will be charged the a tax under the "Moaner Leasing" clause of the new NY State budget.

 

[Bob1370]

The whole thing is a non-starter. Many of these firms have their base of operations out of state to begin with. The only thing this proposal will do, IF it passes, is force a lot of these outfits who provide these services and still do maintain offices here, to change their HQ or back offices to out-of-state locations that the NY taxman can't easily reach. In cable, for example, Time-Warner can easily move its billing to Jersey or even Los Angeles and just shut down its billing offices in Rochester and Buffalo. The only result? Some more lost jobs in upstate NY, along with lost revenue to the state and increased unemployment and social service cost.

Brilliant.

But I don't give it much of a chance.

When it comes to new "revenue enhancements" I'd give the revival of the post-9/11 Millionaire's Tax a lot better chance of passage, given the current unpopularity of the Wall Street bonus-earners who most people associate with that level of income. Taxes that are paid by ordinary working stiffs are going to be a lot harder sell.

 

[Savage]

I agree with your analysis, Bob1370, about the basis for imposing services taxes within NYS - that theoretically, if the server or service office where you make iTunes purchases or cable or sat radio is in "interstate commerce" it should not be subject to New York taxes.

Unfortunately Albany doesn't see it that way. Their rationale is, if the purchase or contract takes place within NYS it's subject to tax.

I know, I know. Your retort will be the same as mine: "You can make that argument about ANY transaction with an out-of-state firm! Why is buying cable TV or sat radio any different than buying something over the phone from an out-of-state retailer?"

Ummm....because Albany lawmakers say it is.

Don't like it? Sue them. Oh, BTW - you need their permission to sue them. A little tenet in the law called "sovereign immunity." And your legal fees aren't recoverable, even if you win.

The arrogant, out-of-control government class shoots...and SCORES! On YOU. Again and again.

 

[Radknowski]

Do the local talk shows on CYSL, er, WYSL address these matters, Bob? It sounds like compelling programming in an NPR type of way.

And you being the law talkin' guy (see, Lionel Hutz) that you are AND a radio talkin' guy to boot, it would-could-should be an interesting feature.

The way I'm readin' your take is the laws can't be challenged in the courts, so it comes down to changing the laws in the legislature. And you're in the vanguard of a grass-roots-populist movement. I see a talk radio promotion thnigie brewin' here, and Bob1370 can get in on the act too, being a radio-talkin'-guy with a PhD workin' for an NPR station. Hey, I just linked WYSL with (W)PhD... Sweet Jeebus, next thing you know, a vision of Gordon McLendon will appear.

 

[Bob1370]

Bob Savage asks, "Their rationale is, if the purchase or contract takes place within NYS it's subject to tax. I know, I know. Your retort will be the same as mine: "You can make that argument about ANY transaction with an out-of-state firm! Why is buying cable TV or sat radio any different than buying something over the phone from an out-of-state retailer?"

It isn't. And that's why the purveyors could easily evade the tax with their feet. Few out of state retailers or service providers collect NY sales tax from NY customers, and the state has had little or no success in going after them to get their cut, the counties even less. The enforcement is dicey at best, and given the history of efforts to change that, I'd guess many or most firms subject to it will be happy to move, and for all practical purposes escape the reach of the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

I'm not saying that's legal or right...but as Walter Cronkite liked to say, that's the way it is.

 

[midnight_skulker]

Don't like it? Sue them. Oh, BTW - you need their permission to sue them. A little tenet in the law called "sovereign immunity."

Maybe the tax-and-tax-some-more clods in Albany should be reminded that Native Americans have this, too?