VAT tax, this sucks!!!!!!!!!!!

[OceanAnnie]

I disagree from what I got is that there is a big difference what we need and what we want. We need food, but we don't need to go out to eat. We need gas but we don't need a car that consumes a lot of gas. We need clothing but we don't need the $300 jeans. Those are the choices we make and that is what I would consider luxury. There are states that tax luxury items and then don't tax what you need. If you go to the grocery you don't pay tax but if you go out to eat you do.

What is a luxury? Who gets to decide? It sounds like a double dip. I'm not for that at all.

 

[wtccheermom]

What is a luxury? Who gets to decide? It sounds like a double dip. I'm not for that at all.

ITA

 

[marie1203]

What is a luxury? Who gets to decide? It sounds like a double dip. I'm not for that at all.

By what a luxury is define as " a material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity."

 

[eliza61]

Wow aren’t you pretty bold with your comments. Just to let you know since you think tanning beds can be avoided my dermatologist recommended one for my skin and it has worked wonders. I go twice a week for 8 minutes and I don’t have to take any meds for my skin condition and there are many people like me who do this.

So problem not solved!

yes I am pretty bold. Of course you have a medical condition, this is the dis, I was wondering when the first post claiming why they had to have it was going to pop up.

AS a general rule, we tend to make rules for the majority not the exception. I'll go out on a limb that the vast majority of folks using a tanning bed DO NOT do so for medical conditions.

So ops problem can be very easily solved. ONCE again, if she objects to the tax. DON"T PAY THE TAX.

 

[eliza61]

Actually that is not true if you tan responsibly and 16 minutes a week is not a problem according to my doctor. Plus none of the funky side effects my meds were causing my skin is great and I have a healthy glow. Oh and just so everyone knows the 10% is also added to spray tanning which causes no health issues except for maybe an orangey glow on some. I wonder if some of you will be OK with added taxes to so called luxuries when it spills over to the hair salons and spas? The list could go on!

Yep, because once again I will then make the decision if getting my hair done is worth the cost. It's called being a concious consumer. Don't like how walmart does business, stop shopping there. Don't approve of Gay days at Diseny world, don't give disneyworld your money. Don't like the tax on tanning booths.....

Sorry, it is very hard for me to stir up righteous indignation for some thing I have complete control over. This is a tax I have complete control over whether or not I want to pay.

 

[pilferk]

Wow aren’t you pretty bold with your comments. Just to let you know since you think tanning beds can be avoided my dermatologist recommended one for my skin and it has worked wonders. I go twice a week for 8 minutes and I don’t have to take any meds for my skin condition and there are many people like me who do this.

So problem not solved!

I believe that tanning by prescription, is exempted from the additional tax...even if your insurance isn't picking up the tab. You just have to make sure it's being administered medically, and not recreationally.

From IRS.gov:

Is phototherapy service exempt from the indoor tanning services tax?

A. It is exempt from the indoor tanning services tax if performed by a licensed medical professional on the medical professional’s premises.

What is phototherapy service?

A. Phototherapy service is a service which exposes an individual to specific wavelengths of light for the treatment of dermatological conditions, sleep disorders, seasonal affective disorder or other psychiatric disorder, neonatal jaundice, wound healing, or other medical condition determined by a licensed medical professional to be treatable by exposing the individual to specific wavelengths of light.

FYI: If your insurance DOES cover your phototherapy, they'll usually cover the tax (or the tax on the portion of the therapy that they cover), if you choose to have it administered recreationally (but at an "approved" provider by your insurer).

Also, if you pay a health club membership and the club has tanning beds, you are not taxed on their use.

 

[pilferk]

Actually that is not true if you tan responsibly and 16 minutes a week is not a problem according to my doctor. Plus none of the funky side effects my meds were causing my skin is great and I have a healthy glow. Oh and just so everyone knows the 10% is also added to spray tanning which causes no health issues except for maybe an orangey glow on some. I wonder if some of you will be OK with added taxes to so called luxuries when it spills over to the hair salons and spas? The list could go on!

The extra tax is NOT added to spray tanning. If a spray tan salon is adding the tax to your bill...they're defrauding you (and the government):

From IRS.gov:

Do indoor tanning services include spray tans or topical creams and lotions purchased at tanning salons?

A. No, the tax does not apply to spray tans or topical creams and lotions.

Link is here:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=224600,00.html#keypoint22

 

[angelat]

I find this tax to be blatantly racist.

never thought of it that way....

 

[pintamino]

Actually that is not true if you tan responsibly and 16 minutes a week is not a problem according to my doctor.

Sounds like in your case, the benefits of tanning outweigh the negatives of your condition/side effects of other medication (and outweigh the gamble of cancer).

Outside of fake/chemical tanning, there is no such thing as tanning responsibly. Tanning in the sun or in a bed significantly increases your risk of skin cancer. Getting a little bit of natural sun on your skin every day is healthy and promotes production of Vitamin D. A tan isn't a sign of a healthy glow, it's a sign of damaged skin.

 

[Jitzy]

This is why I've been reading up on the Fair Tax. In exchange for giving up deductions, you pay a tax on what you spend. You earn 2000 dollars from your paycheck = you get 2000 dollars. Pay the tax on the food, clothing, gas, entertainment, electronics etc. So far it figures we would come out at worst even, but most likely ahead. I guess because we don't spend a lot unnecessarily!

It would also encourage people to get rid of long-term debt, ie., mortgages. Let's face it, here in the US we take way too long to pay of our homes.

Anyway, I'm still researching and thinking this through...

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Yes letting the government make adecision should be treated with great concern but a decision must be made & sorry but some luxuries are no brainers. A 300 foot yacht is a luxury. a tanning salon (for the great part, some are medically necessary) luxury. I've yet to hear of a case of the Grand Floridian being necessary for life, liberty and happiness (ok I take that back, it makes me very happy)

If a person is buying a 300 ft yacht, haven't they already paid a premium amount of taxes already on the income it took to buy it?

 

[HHSTigerFan]

By what a luxury is define as " a material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity."

So every house over 1000 SQF should have a special tax imposed on it? Each family is allowed one car, the second car is assessed a special tax?? cable, cell phones and broadband, same thing?? A/C?? How about certain brands of clothes??

 

[marie1203]

So every house over 1000 SQF should have a special tax imposed on it? Each family is allowed one car, the second car is assessed a special tax?? cable, cell phones and broadband, same thing?? A/C?? How about certain brands of clothes??

No houses already are tax on their value same as cars. I really do not care if they tax certain brands of clothes if I have to pay more for my true religion jeans then I will understand or I can choose to change brands.

 

[wtccheermom]

I believe that tanning by prescription, is exempted from the additional tax...even if your insurance isn't picking up the tab. You just have to make sure it's being administered medically, and not recreationally.

From IRS.gov:



FYI: If your insurance DOES cover your phototherapy, they'll usually cover the tax (or the tax on the portion of the therapy that they cover), if you choose to have it administered recreationally (but at an "approved" provider by your insurer).

Also, if you pay a health club membership and the club has tanning beds, you are not taxed on their use.

No insurance does not cover it but I am going to ask them about that tax info because they have never mentioned it. I also wanted to comment on the spary tanning you are paying the tax for it if it is included in your tanning package. Most tanning beds have packages that include different beds and some with spray tanning so you pay a monthly fee which is usually cheaper than paying by the visit.

 

[pilferk]

No insurance does not cover it but I am going to ask them about that tax info because they have never mentioned it.

YOUR insurance doesn't cover the treatment. Other policies may...which is why I added the caveat.

In your situation, it might save you some money to seek out a phototherapy provider, rather than using a standard, recreational tanning salon....and have your dermatologist put his recommendation to paper in the form of a prescription.

That being said, given the phototherapy is being administered by a licensed medical professional...the tax you save might be offset by a higher per visit fee.

I also wanted to comment on the spary tanning you are paying the tax for it if it is included in your tanning package. Most tanning beds have packages that include different beds and some with spray tanning so you pay a monthly fee which is usually cheaper than paying by the visit.

I'm not sure why you think spray tanning services are adding the new 10% tax, but I've provided you with the link, directly from the IRS, that says the tax we are talking about should not be applied.

If there is a separate, local tax for spray tanning, that is different.

If your tanning salon is applying the 10% tax for a gift card or package that is specifically for spray tanning (and they have to separate the two pieces/amounts, now, by law), they are defrauding you and the federal government. The tax is only supposed to apply to the money applied to bed tanning. Again, the link I provided is quite clear on this. They can't apply the 10% to all the package simply because PART of your package is bed tanning. They can only apply the 10% to the portion of the package that is specifically for bed tanning.

The 10% tax does not apply to spray tanning. Simple as that.

 

[brockash]

Since we Americans are apparently too dumb to manage our own lives, maybe they should also add on an extra tax for fast food, candy and pop.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind it...and really, look at us; most of us are too dumb to manage our own health. -This is coming from someone who did use a tanning bed off and on for over a decade (probably the stupidest thing I ever did.) I really wouldn't mind being taxed extra on soda and complete junk for food. Don't get me wrong, I eat/drink it occasionally-although still too much, but maybe if I had to pay a little more for crap that only hurts me, I'd be more inclined to buy the cheaper healthier thing. I especially like this idea for kids/teens.

 

[fakereadhed]

We are truly spoiled if we're willing to give away our freedoms so easily. You do realize that's why people from other countries want to come here, right? They would LOVE to have the freedoms and bounty we have in this country. But us, well, we'll give it up in a second. The govt does not have my blessing to add extra taxes to things I enjoy to help save me from myself.

 

[wtccheermom]

YOUR insurance doesn't cover the treatment. Other policies may...which is why I added the caveat.

In your situation, it might save you some money to seek out a phototherapy provider, rather than using a standard, recreational tanning salon....and have your dermatologist put his recommendation to paper in the form of a prescription.

That being said, given the phototherapy is being administered by a licensed medical professional...the tax you save might be offset by a higher per visit fee.



I'm not sure why you think spray tanning services are adding the new 10% tax, but I've provided you with the link, directly from the IRS, that says the tax we are talking about should not be applied.

If there is a separate, local tax for spray tanning, that is different.

If your tanning salon is applying the 10% tax for a gift card or package that is specifically for spray tanning (and they have to separate the two pieces/amounts, now, by law), they are defrauding you and the federal government. The tax is only supposed to apply to the money applied to bed tanning. Again, the link I provided is quite clear on this. They can't apply the 10% to all the package simply because PART of your package is bed tanning. They can only apply the 10% to the portion of the package that is specifically for bed tanning.

The 10% tax does not apply to spray tanning. Simple as that.

I meant no my insurance does not cover it and as for spray tanning you are paying the 10% on it if it is I part of a tanning package with a regular tanning bed. Again there are several different packages that include anything from low pressure beds and spray tanning to high pressure beds with spray tanning and the price goes up with the service. For instance I pay 20.00 a month for a regular bed with daily visit is I want but say I wanted the regular bed with spay tanning than they price goes up and you pay the tax on the package price they don’t deduct anything form the price of the package when figuring in the 10% to compensate for the spray tan. So it is not simple as that.

 

[Anjelica]

This is a blantant money grab by the government (as usual). I think people thinking the government did this to help "prevent skin cancer" are way off base. Do they tax those that go to the beach? Go to the pool? Built a pool in their backyard? Live in Hawaii?

 

[pilferk]

I meant no my insurance does not cover it and as for spray tanning you are paying the 10% on it if it is I part of a tanning package with a regular tanning bed. Again there are several different packages that include anything from low pressure beds and spray tanning to high pressure beds with spray tanning and the price goes up with the service. For instance I pay 20.00 a month for a regular bed with daily visit is I want but say I wanted the regular bed with spay tanning than they price goes up and you pay the tax on the package price they don’t deduct anything form the price of the package when figuring in the 10% to compensate for the spray tan. So it is not simple as that.

No, you don't. Or, rather, you're not supposed to.

And if your salon is charging 10% tax on the full package price, they're committing tax fraud.

The IRS clearly spells out what is and isn't taxable. It's right there at the link I provided.

I'm all for "everyone is entitled to their opinion", but this is tax law. And the IRS has made the law cut and dry.

Your salon is not supposed to be charging tax on the piece of your package that covers the spray tan. There's really no opinion or debate about it. They are ONLY supposed to levy the 10% against the monies to cover the bed tanning.

For example:
If you're paying $20 per month for your package, the salon is supposed to know how much is going to each service. Say that $15 is for bed tanning and $5 is for spray tanning.
Your new monthly payment should be 21.50...NOT $22.


You can explain what your salon is DOING as many times as you'd like. I understood it the first time. They're not supposed to. Read the IRS FAQ.