What can we non-EU players do to help our brothers and sisters in the EU ?

I've already reduced my inventory of available land to historic low prices. Is there anything else reasonable I can do to help my EU brothers and sisters ? Your VAT situation really sucks, to put it bluntly.

I'm going to start by eating more imported cheese.

Don't worry too much about us EU people. 17.5% tax on our RL's to let us play in a virtual world is neither here nor there. If we gotta pay, we gotta pay. It's not LL's fault, we're lucky our RL haven't had to pay VAT up to now.

The VAT isn't going to make much difference to those that use SL to socialise, have a modest house etc. Some may need to tier down but unless you are talking a fairly large plot of land the extra wont amount to too much. The people who are going to be hit the hardest are the large landowners who do rentals or the land barons. Those with fair sized shops are also going to have to hope that sales pick up.

None of us like being made to pay more money, but my main point is that it's a fait accompli situation, something we can't do anything about, a bit like the online gambling ban in USA which must have had a much bigger effect on SL.

As an American citizen and Japanese resident I see no reason to help those in the EU. After all people get the government they deserve. We did not have a thing do with their VAT. About large landlords being affected, tough luck, I do not see large landlords having to pay VAT at this time. After all how would they know where their customers are located? We do not even know the real names or genders really. Thus how can the EU know who to charge and what? Will the EU require Linden Labs to disclose the real names and countries of residence next? I still do not see how they can enforce their will on an American Firm located within the United States. Of course if they locate servers in other countries like fools they will be affected.
Philip is the cause of his own troubles. I hear there will be a Japanese version of Second Life soon and it will not be the place of chaos that sl has become.
Again, my two countries have enough to worry about without taking on the burdens of the world.

While you may think it's 'tough luck' to Europeans, LL do know where we all are based on billing and IPs and us in the EU have the VAT added to our account pages. LL also have an office based in the UK (which also deals with all SL payments) so it isn't the EU enforcing their will on a US company, it's now an International company.

Anyway, I think it's nice that some do care about others here and the effect it will have on business owners. While you may not wish to help, saying 'tough luck' isn't very friendly and wouldn't dream of saying it myself should the next big thing to hit SL cause Americans etc to not be able to compete business wise here. While people may not be able to help, we appreciate the thought from some that they care.

I couldn't agree more Denise, it's comforting to know that people actually do give a damn about others...

I'm sure that, more and more, we're going to find real life junk (like tax) imposing into our Second Lives, unfortunately taking it more and more away from Philip's dream.

Broccoli

Try telling that to the Burmese?

LOL .. heh ... ok ... now just pause a moment and reconsider that one? Maybe .. just maybe you might be able to think of a few places in the world where the people have a government they really don't deserve?

Ah ... well ... um ... does that mean your two countries got the governments they deserved?
!!Confused!! But Smiling

Sorry to say, but did the Japanese also had the government they deserved during WW2 ............???????

There is nothing we can do to help the people in the EU!
It is after all their goverment and not mine. We can have warm fuzzy feelings but nothing more.
I just have a pragmantic view on things, caring salts no fish or does any good.

what can I say............

Its always appreciated that we have the understanding of our fellow players from around the world. As Europe are one of the MAJOR players in world of course its going to hit hard. But in reality its not a LOT unless you are a large land holder as said earlier. Now that LL are europe based as well as US based its only a matter of time before the EU say that VAT must also be collected to people who services are provided TOO as well as where the users are based... This being due to incidents like this where land and political boundries do not apply due to the internet. Of course there will be arguments about LL being in the USA etc. But systems are always going to be messy.
I pay a converstion fee to dollars to pay my fees to billing in the UK, how is that fair ??.

Changes in the economy wherever that economy is based will always hit in world and certainly theres always going to be points raised where one is better of than the other, I should imagine SL Membership in somewhere like India would be around a weeks wage.... this is always going to be difficult where each country has different rules ...different expenses... .different disposable income.

I for one appreciate the support that my fellow players have given us during this time

As a UK citizen, I think it is extremely decent of Steve (and I am sure others) who wants to do something to help his EU brothers and sisters - very thoughtful and thanks for that.

It does seem that we just have to accept having the VAT thrusted upon us but what annoyed most of us was the way it was done, with no warning whatsoever. A few days before this I had bought some more land which put me in a higher tier threshold. I had no idea VAT was going to be added and while I am not at all happy about being told about it AFTER it was added to my tier amount, I can afford it.

I suspect there are others here in SL who do have to watch the amount of money they spend on this game, so maybe they might have been up to the limit of what they could spend anyway. So adding VAT on top of that might make a lot of difference to them, but they had no chance to even decide to sell any land which might have helped them had they been informed that VAT was on the way!

But to Steve, a very nice thought - its great that some do care!

Also, and not wishing to get political, I have to say to Ranma that some dont always want a government that gets voted in so cant do anything about it.

and to Ee, yes exactly, some of us are far luckier even though we grumble, than those in some places, as in Burma.

Oh good god! you don`t pay japanese taxes. Please spare me! where you located in japan is more american then japanese since the american army, navy etc are all based down there. gesh! If you had to pay what i do as a japanese citizen you would have to move back to your own country!

You get more taxes back from the japanese goverment then a Japanese living in Japan. Please stop the lies!

Yep can't resist Swiss cheese on ham in a croisoint

Especially when it's bigger than you .. and heading your way!

Wouldn't it be better in a pie?

This is just rude. Not all Europeans like the rule of Brussels, and many Europeans I have spoken with disagree with this tax scheme. It's silly to paint everyone with a broad brush. For Europeans, it's a cost increase. Yes, it's because of their tax system, which I think is silly, but at the end of the day many Europeans don't like this tax either, and it is hitting them hard. A little sympathy costs nothing, and is far better than simple rudeness.

Don`t pay anymind about that that person said. Besides he not japanese, just ignore his remark. He doesnt even pay taxes in japan. Since its all given back to him from the japanese goverment since he with the american miltary out here.

Try some French Brie, Switzerland is not in the EU !!!

Move to Europe, become a citizen of one of the countries there and vote for someone who will reduce their tax burden?

I don't think the Swiss pay VAT

Seriously though - that was a very kind thought of Steve's and I do appreciate the sympathy, but everyone has to decide what they can afford and what their spending limits are - so when I can't afford to pay for my SL activities, I shall scale them down. As Marty has said, it was not so much the VAT man coming, it was more not realising that VAT was due and not having any warning about the increase that was upsetting.

a few crackers with it would be nice heheh