Blogging... license required !!!

[SteamWake]

Philly presses to require 'bloggers' to file for a buisness license

Originally Posted by Washington Examiner

Philly requiring bloggers to pay $300 for a business license

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/op...101264664.html

[GoldenRivet]

Is the blog generating revenue?

yes? no?

If no it is an exercise of free speech

If yes... a business license might be required.

[JSLTIGER]

Philly will tax anything it can at the slightest opportunity. Trust me, I grew up there and I know. They even went after my parents for "unpaid" business taxes that supposedly arose four years after their LLC (for their business) dissolved and ceased to exist.

[UnderseaLcpl]

And what services, exactly, are provided in exchange for this "licensure"?

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

And what services, exactly, are provided in exchange for this "licensure"?

The ability to conduct 'buisness' in Philly.

In this case the woman admitts she 'earned' 50 bucks over the course of three years so strictly speaking yea she 'profited' by it. But Id be willing to bet that the 50 bucks dident cover ISP hardware etc.

So yea sure make it a buisness and post a loss every year then write it off on your buisness taxes and then seek a bailout from the feds

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

TIn this case the woman admitts she 'earned' 50 bucks

That was her first mistake

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

That was her first mistake

The money was actually earned as a contributing author to another web site not her blog.

Did you read the story?

She’s not alone. After dutifully reporting even the smallest profits on their tax filings this year, a number — though no one knows exactly what that number is — of Philadelphia bloggers were dispatched letters informing them that they owe $300 for a privilege license, plus taxes on any profits they made.

[GoldenRivet]

I agree it is ridiculous.

but when someone slides you a $50 bill... its probably best to slide it under the table

[Platapus]

In reading the article, which contains little information, I wonder if she tried to take a tax deduction on her internet "business"?

In reading the article, which contains little information, I wonder if she tried to take a tax deduction on her internet "business"?

Or if the business that paid her had put her income through its books.
I wonder if some people would be taking the same atttitude if it was a mexican gardener complaining about business licensing or if they would suggest payment under the table as a solution?