tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post8721939667893043598..comments2024-03-22T05:18:29.555-04:00Comments on Romance Bandits: Strange and Weird TaxesLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-33323683522489056762011-02-23T23:33:46.889-05:002011-02-23T23:33:46.889-05:00Hey Jo - Hope you have a great dinner on Sunday!Hey Jo - Hope you have a great dinner on Sunday!Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-29331351379006043872011-02-23T23:32:44.810-05:002011-02-23T23:32:44.810-05:00AC - I hear you, Cindy. As a regular Diet Coke a...AC - I hear you, Cindy. As a regular Diet Coke and Diet Dr. Pepper connoisseur - I'd be outraged myself. I'm trying to drink more water and tea and cut back on the soda, but I can't go cold turkey. I imagine the soda industry lobby would have something to say about such a tax. Those lobbyists, they are a large part of the reason behind our goofy tax structure.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-3952517034512046312011-02-23T21:28:54.737-05:002011-02-23T21:28:54.737-05:00Good idea, Donna. I'd take the wine if I dran...Good idea, Donna. I'd take the wine if I drank. Emma's parents invited us to dinner Sunday. I think that'll be my toll!jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-34956423805064132982011-02-23T21:21:21.948-05:002011-02-23T21:21:21.948-05:00Popping in late, so sorry. But what a FUN post, Do...Popping in late, so sorry. But what a FUN post, Donna!<br /><br />Once again, ya never know what you'll learn in the Lair. ;-) I thought those "shotgun houses" were built that way to allow for cooling breezes to blow all the way through. Never heard the tax based on width before, but I'm not a BIT surprised. I had heard of the window tax, and I must say I LIKE the idea of that rum tax. <br /><br />They are talking about taxing soda here in California. If that does happen, you'll hear my howls of outrage all the way to Ohio and beyond. GRRRR!<br /><br />ACLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-25405814604192115182011-02-23T21:20:06.909-05:002011-02-23T21:20:06.909-05:00Leni - Glad you liked the blog. Hey - you gotta l...Leni - Glad you liked the blog. Hey - you gotta laugh at taxes or you'll end up crying. They are a PITA, but at least they've been a PITA for centuries.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-65432657176372131882011-02-23T21:17:46.105-05:002011-02-23T21:17:46.105-05:00Louisa - Once you get that manuscript published, y...Louisa - Once you get that manuscript published, you'll be able to deduct all those regency research tomes. That, in itself, is iincentive. Of course, if your writing is a business (hint) and not a hobby, you could be deducting them now. You're so close to selling.<br /><br />With you 100% on the shelter/pet expense. Granted we get paid in love, love, love for providing a home to a shelter animal...but a little moola would be nice to offset those expenses.<br /><br />Definitely should be able to deduct chocolate as a necessary medical expense (grin).Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-799157183300715872011-02-23T19:17:28.208-05:002011-02-23T19:17:28.208-05:00You do know there are tax credits to help with the...<i>You do know there are tax credits to help with the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and rooms. Not much help though for the incredible amount of food a college kid consumes - nor does it help the incredible amount of clothes they grow out of so quickly. Boys. Gotta love them but they're expensive buggers (grin).</i><br /><br />Oh, yes, but I'd like some for travel expenses and all the extra expenses that seem to pop up out of nowhere *g* And he is expensive. When he was home over Christmas break, my grocery bill went up substantially!Beth Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01204356784898045866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-40277874351755624292011-02-23T18:57:20.887-05:002011-02-23T18:57:20.887-05:00It sure would be lovely not to pay taxes on candy ...It sure would be lovely not to pay taxes on candy or books :) I can dream, though.I didn't think that I'd be able to laugh about the subject of taxes. <br />ThanksLenihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01961563333055272563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-77146531972687865952011-02-23T18:41:32.382-05:002011-02-23T18:41:32.382-05:00Oh and Beth, my sister! I LOVE the taste of Coke i...Oh and Beth, my sister! I LOVE the taste of Coke in a glass bottle. I don't care what anyone says, the glass bottle makes it taste better! <br /><br />And I cracked up when you said your Dad kicked one of you out of the car to pick up stray bottles. My Dad was the same way!!Louisa Cornellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12971924594129471055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-90643603200045033562011-02-23T18:39:05.257-05:002011-02-23T18:39:05.257-05:00Yes, Barb, people ARE starting to talk about you t...Yes, Barb, people ARE starting to talk about you two. There should definitely be a mileage tax on the GR !!<br /><br />I would love to get a tax break on all of the romance novels I buy and on the Regency research books as well. Heck, just give me a tax break on every book currently in my home and I will have my trip to Nationals paid in full !!<br /><br />I think you should get a tax break for adopting a pet from a shelter. I also think you should be able to deduct all expenses for that pet - food and medical on a sliding scale for ten years or so. And all taxes collected should go to build no-kill shelters and mobile spay/neuter clinics all over the country.<br /><br />We have a tax free weekend for school supplies at the end of August in the county where I live. I tend to buy ALL of my copy paper, ink cartridges and most of my other writing supplies on this particular weekend.<br /><br />And I really need to be able to write off Milo's tea and Peanut Butter M&M's as a writing expense!<br /><br />I think you should get a tax break for buying physical books rather than eBooks. All of this talk of the physical books disappearing in the next five years or ten years makes me very, very sad. I am just an old dinosaur, I guess!Louisa Cornellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12971924594129471055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-58015334682858686432011-02-23T18:18:04.378-05:002011-02-23T18:18:04.378-05:00Donna: I imagine the hospital does get an exemptio...Donna: <i>I imagine the hospital does get an exemption on them, though.</i> Hmmm... we don't sell them or provide them. The patients bring them. But you may be onto something. My boss might take a shine to them if they brought in extra income...hmmmSuzanne Ferrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761579189372602292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-68864047686263718932011-02-23T17:26:41.147-05:002011-02-23T17:26:41.147-05:00catslady - It is all confusing and extremely polit...catslady - It is all confusing and extremely political. In Ohio, it used to be all soft drinks were taxable - except root beer. Root beer was considered a food item. Who knew? (Apparently the A&W lobbyist). Not sure that's still the case, but it is crazy.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-310595941067232472011-02-23T17:07:08.404-05:002011-02-23T17:07:08.404-05:00PA taxes some food items 7% depending on what they...PA taxes some food items 7% depending on what they feel is necessary (sure). Cat and dog food is but I don't think it should be since I buy so much of it (feed ferals and whatever wildlife thinks it's their's too lol). Food in restaurants is but shouldn't be. And Pittsburgh has an extra tax on alcohol bah humbug. It's all very confusing - thread and underwear are not taxed but swimsuits are lol.catsladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06375770995988927860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-71226656305526572522011-02-23T16:01:24.968-05:002011-02-23T16:01:24.968-05:00Suz - LOL well that explanation of birthing balls ...Suz - LOL well that explanation of birthing balls makes much more sense than my X-rated imagination. I imagine the hospital does get an exemption on them, though. They'd be a business expense.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-73209523006324059582011-02-23T16:00:04.496-05:002011-02-23T16:00:04.496-05:00Anna - I did cross some interesting taxes and tax ...Anna - I did cross some interesting taxes and tax exemptions for Australia - but they were sort of X-rated so I decided not to use them. Come to think of it, we have some X-rated taxes and exemptions here as well.<br /><br />Funny that the windows are still bricked it up to today. What dark rooms those must be. I wonder if its an historic preservation thing that keeps them blocked.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-40898875522066934192011-02-23T15:57:50.281-05:002011-02-23T15:57:50.281-05:00Jo - You need to levy Suzanne's babysitting to...Jo - You need to levy Suzanne's babysitting toll. One box of chocolate for babysitting (or a bottle of wine - your choice).Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-37207364838631658282011-02-23T15:56:54.124-05:002011-02-23T15:56:54.124-05:00Beth - Love the thumper tax. Unfortunately, a tin...Beth - Love the thumper tax. Unfortunately, a tiny sum of money could be raised right now from enforcement.<br /><br />You do know there are tax credits to help with the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and rooms. Not much help though for the incredible amount of food a college kid consumes - nor does it help the incredible amount of clothes they grow out of so quickly. Boys. Gotta love them but they're expensive buggers (grin).Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-55220529771129738562011-02-23T15:29:00.354-05:002011-02-23T15:29:00.354-05:00Donna, think over-sized plastic balls kids played ...Donna, think over-sized plastic balls kids played on, used in some gyms for people to balance on or stretch their backs. <br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br />Mom's sit on them, bounce on them, (not making this stuff up)...kneel and roll on them...while in labor...<br /><br />See...needs a tax!! or better yet, an embargo!Suzanne Ferrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761579189372602292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-45573928570345821482011-02-23T14:48:07.176-05:002011-02-23T14:48:07.176-05:00Hey, Barb, he's BAAAAAACCCCCKKKK!
Donna, fun ...Hey, Barb, he's BAAAAAACCCCCKKKK!<br /><br />Donna, fun post. Much more fun than actually doing my taxes - I'm in the throes of that right now. <br /><br />The window tax remained in force long enough to reach Australian settlement (1788). There are early 19th century buildings in Sydney with bricked up windows so they don't get hit with the window tax.Anna Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695579361323275316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-87363558058822512032011-02-23T14:47:36.578-05:002011-02-23T14:47:36.578-05:00Trish Milburn (Tricia Mills) Closets were counted ...Trish Milburn (Tricia Mills) Closets were counted as rooms, and thus taxable, so that's why a lot of historic homes have armoires rather than closets.<br /><br /><b><i>Any idea when that tax went away? I always wondered why older houses didn't have closets, now I know. <br /><br />My home was built in 1942 and there is not a closet except for one that was built on later. No insulation, in the winter I freeze when I open my closet. Unfortunately the rooms are not large enough to handle an armoire.</i></b>hrdwrkdmom aka Diannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12520769151419586319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-75291065180387322712011-02-23T14:42:52.347-05:002011-02-23T14:42:52.347-05:00What an interesting post, Donna! Of course, there...What an interesting post, Donna! Of course, there's the old tea tax that started the whole American Revolution. Sort of.<br /><br />Hmmm, I'd like to get a tax credit for tending our Emma weekly. She's two now and making her demands known. She takes no hostages!<br /><br />Congrats, Barb. Maybe the rooster can help with your taxes.jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-78413722029064684532011-02-23T13:50:49.815-05:002011-02-23T13:50:49.815-05:00"What? You're too rich to pass up free mo...<i>"What? You're too rich to pass up free money? Go get that bottle!"</i><br /><br />LOL, Susan! My husband and his friends used to collect bottles and turn them in for cold hard cash *g* And I remember my mom buying pop in those 8-pack bottles then we'd return them for cash.<br /><br />I always thought pop tasted better from glass, too! Every time we see Coke in an old fashioned bottle, my husband has to buy one - even if it's five times the price of a can :-)Beth Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01204356784898045866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-40520638159644802422011-02-23T13:48:03.470-05:002011-02-23T13:48:03.470-05:00What a great post, Donna!
I'd personally lov...What a great post, Donna! <br /><br />I'd personally love a tax break on all things college related *g* Food, clothing, transportation, that trip the ER when the boy sprained his ankle during basketball :-)<br /><br />Or how about a Thumper tax? You know, <i>If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all</i> *g* Maybe that would cut back on some of the negativity that seems to pop up online.Beth Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01204356784898045866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-83847794613571389442011-02-23T13:40:40.370-05:002011-02-23T13:40:40.370-05:00LOL Suzanne - I can't begin to describe all th...LOL Suzanne - I can't begin to describe all the images that came to mind with "birthing balls". I have to ask - is this an object of some sort? Or a basic swear word? I have visions of nurses and doctors dancing around pushing hospital beds of very pregnant women - all to the lilting refrains of a waltz. (grin)<br /><br />You've got the right of it with that chocolate toll - though I imagine you'd have so many boxes of chocolates you'd have to have a dedicated pantry just to handle the supply. (grin)Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-53559093146646228012011-02-23T13:37:05.057-05:002011-02-23T13:37:05.057-05:00June M - I do love that purple avatar with the but...June M - I do love that purple avatar with the butterfly. I think West Virgina must be in the minority on the taxing of food thing. It seems rather cruel to the poor that still need to buy food. But then England was criticized for taxing fresh air and light with their window tax. They also tried to tax matches but that only lasted two weeks - public outcry brought it down.<br /><br />I don't have an electronic reader or I would know this - but do they tax electronic books? Just curious.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.com