Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Blog Tax? (Are They serious?)


Last night, my wife made me aware of the City of Philadelphia's plan to tax bloggers. I thought this was a joke at first until I read an article in which it appears that this is exactly what the city is planning to do... Excuse me, already doing.

I read an article about this (in of all places) The New York Times. I figure if a paper in New York is writing about something happening in Philly, chances are whatever it is must only be happening in Philly and hasn't happened in New York or anywhere else yet. I'm used to reading in Philadelphia papers about a new craze that has started in New York or Los Angeles. But, I digress... getting back to the subject at hand...

CNN Money said and I'll quote it here... "Philadelphia bloggers were abuzz this week about a city-wide move to crack down on citizens running a business without a license, which includes any local bloggers running ads on their sites."

The weekly free newspaper, Philadelphia City Paper, kicked off the hullabaloo with an article spotlighting several small-scale bloggers who were startled to receive letters from the city demanding that they shell out up to $300 for a license allowing them to operate a local business. One of the recipients had raked in a whopping profit of $ 11.00! Eleven freakin dollars over two years from his blog and these cats want him to either pay $ 50.00 a year or $ 300.00 for a "lifetime" license. They're all been smokin' crack in City Hall!

The city's argument is that in Philly, anyone "conducting commercial activity" is required to buy a business privilege license that costs $ 300 for a lifetime or $50 per year. Businesses must also pay taxes on any profit they make. This is how the Philly bloggers landed on the city's radar: Those who followed the law and reported their blog's revenue to the IRS triggered tripwires set up to find local businesses operating without licenses. "The IRS is the fastest way to find them, though we have other avenues that we don't advertise."

City officials say they did not target blogs specifically... only sites running ads and, therefore, making money, are subject to the business license requirements. Just so you know, none of my blogs have any advertisements, so it doesn't apply to me.

"Some of those blogger folks didn't realize when their passions became a business," the city rep said. "We haven't singled anybody out. We love the self-employed. Philly is a city with a creative economy." I don't use profanity on this blog, so I won't say what they are all full of, but you can figure it out.

Ironically though, when I started this blog, I seriously considered running ads for profits and now, I'm glad I didn't. I wouldn't pay the city a red cent even if I was running ads. What they are attempting to do is unconstitutional and I'm waiting for someone to challenge them in court. Stay tuned...

The Maverick of All Bloggers!

21 comments:

Sean said...

Go Get em Keith!lol!

James Perkins said...

A Blog tax? I know the city of Philadelphia is strapped for cash, but that's just ridiculous!

Angie B. said...

I'm with you Keith..I wouldn't pay it either.

Toni said...

And they wonder why people are leaving Philly? Because they tax you for breathing, that's why!

Vanessa said...

@Toni- Girl, you aint nevah lied about all these taxes!

Brenda said...

I think you're right about the city losing if they were ever challenged in court.

Swaggie said...

That's just wrong!

Jazzy said...

Blog tax? You'd have to pay for all three of your blogs..Wow, that would be jive fam!

Grover Tha Playboy said...

Only in Philadelphia.

Lisa said...

Say whattt, Blog tax...you've got to be kidding?

Halo said...

I'm glad it doesn't pretain to you Keith..I love your blogs..I'd hate for you to have to stop writing them.

Cheryl said...

What will they try to tax next?

Sunflower said...

I pay enough taxes now..It just seems like the City is trying to find money anywhere it can.

Tate2 said...

I'm a sports fan, but did you realize the 76ers, Eagles and Flyers all owe the city millions in back taxes and leasing? Collect from them and leave bloggers alone!

Simon Bastion said...

Sounds like a ploy to silence dissentg!lol...

Captain Jack said...

Tate 2 is right..Collect those huge revenues from all of those sports franchises, leave the bloggers be!

DBH said...

Don't pay no tax Keith..I'm behind you! lol!

Angel said...

I really hope that they never do this here, wow they tax you for everything!

Hope you and your family are well :)

Keith said...

@Hey Angel...How are you? I've got to get over to your blog!

Arlene said...

Cousin, pay up! You know our city needs every penny of the millions you're making with this well-read blog. HBO sent you a check, right? I can't be surprised that money-hungry Mike and his boys are looking for any means possible to make dollars. It's better than closing firehouses and putting children's lives on the line. Tax a blog...well, well, well!

Unknown said...

Lord, what's next?!




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