VAT-Another one bites the dust.

The sim I "live on is no longer going to be because of VAT. Europe gets charged an extra 20% and I have watched a friend struggle for a long time to make things work. I think it is sickening that all these ridiculous things, particularly VAT, are implemented and "Resolved", to which so many become obsequious to the LL and thank them profusely for little things like actually answering some questions and providing viable alternatives. Heck, they cant even get lag reduced which would solve SO many issues.

So, I watch someone who has built and hasn't been out to rip off the people on SL, but to give them nice housing at affordable rates, because it is a GAME and she wanted people to enjoy themselves. Screw VAT, and even though LL won't respond to this, you know a lot of Europe is bailing out. I hope they do. You lose income from that 20% increase added to their costs, but think of all the landshark carpetbaggers you are encouraging. You will eventually implode and collapse on yourself just like most greedy, grasping venturers. I know I will be standing by applauding because my friend is losing everything she has built up. Hope you are pleased with yourselves when you look in your respective mirrors, Lindens. I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the mirror if I were like you are becoming.

Most sincerely,

etc.

The Lindens are greedy because they are required by the nation your friend lives in to charge VAT? I don't get the connection, but ok.

We've been long overdue for another VAT thread anyway.

yes VAT is the scourge of Europe...just as...Hitler was 70 years ago.

Blaming LL for VAT is just plain stupid. They did not implement it and I'm sure they would much rather not have to deal with it at all. VAT is an EU thing, it is a local government thing and they are the ones if any to blame. Actually the ones to blame are the Europeans themselves, they want lots of government services and the way a government pays for those services is thru taxes. The only way that LL could not make the people from the EU pay any more would be by forcing everyone else to take up the burden and pay more. And it would hardly be right for the rest of the world to be forced to pay the taxes the the people of the EU have foisted on themselves.

Brenda, read the post. It's not VAT that is the scourge, it's Linden Labs. Those greedy bastards!

Dayum. Godwinned by post #3. That may be a record on this forum....

VAT is not LL's fault. Too damned bad. Tier down to what you can afford. And in the meanwhile, lobby your local representatives for an exception for platforms with micro-economies.

almost gave up aswell but endedup rasing the prices by 19% and sacrifice an very large portion of my land and prims for rentals to compensate and lower it back bit by bit when it`s all rented out steadily

VAT is not LL's fault, it's a tax imposed by Europeans governments to help pay for all that free health care and other entitlements that Europeans love to wave around to show how much better Europe is than the U.S.A.

It's their choice, and by and large they seem happy with big govt. and big taxes. Too bad the rest of the world is so greedy and so selfish we don't want to pay their taxes for them even though we don't get whatever benefits they get from their govts. Life is hard.

Well it's either charge Europeans VAT or ban all Europeans from the grid to protect themselves from liability. Which would you prefer?

Don't worry- our respective countries will be taxing the rest of us residents soon.

Just wait.... Its coming in the U.S. too... The tax man is coming. That you can count on.

Actually, congress has approved an extension to the "Internet Tax Ban". The House added 4 years, the Senate approved 7 years. They'll need to land somewhere between, but we seem to have a reprieve for another 4-7 years at least. So if it's coming, we'll all be several years older by the time it arrives.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gFIKjS4XyxT0XE8_hEJ1aIXGnZkA

And a big pat on the back was had by them all...... How perfect!

You might want to refer to this link about VAT..Not like it was a surprise or anything, but just in case you are not completely informed.

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/3_4_5_en.htm

Simply put those who live in those countries knew about this for a long time and it shouldn't come as any surprise.

So don't blame LL for something that was no surprise in the first place and is totally out of their control.

Here we go again.


Sigh.

Totally agree!

Anyone else notice since the VAT mess nobody is complaining about the gambling ban? Guess those that were complaining realize LL were just following more of those 'Laws' that they are require to.

I just crack up at every VAT thread. It's not LL's fault YOUR government requires it, so quit whining.

But the way LL *handled* VAT is LL's fault, including all their lies and misleadings, letting their PAYING CUSTOMERS run into an open knife. That surely is something to complain about, right?

I have to admit i haven't much experience in international trading but personally if "some" country i'm not even located in was requesting from my company to pay some tax, I would simply tell them to stuff it where you know.

Last time i checked i am not subject to other laws than those of my own country (it's already plenty in my opinion).

I agree there, LL didn't warn well or give proper notice. So complain away about that.(i've got a list a mile long to complain about things to LL, but I see no point in complaining, it wont get me anywhere and I'm sure nobody wants to hear it.)

My point is this just seemed to be another thread complaining about VAT its self.



LL opened a office in London somewhere, which now requires then to collect VAT.

Oh stop talking absolute balderdash. If we're paying for it how can it be free bloody health care you stupid troll? Go shove your trolling where the sun doesn't shine.

VAT applies to SL to allow European business a fair crack of the whip. The fact that SL doesn't fit into the category like other business ideas do is due to a changing world that the law as it was applied hadn't considered. Indeed it is confusing as to whether the VAT law does actually have to apply to SL with some parts of it suggesting it does and other parts suggesting it doesn't but LL's legal team have decided (and it's better for them to err on the side of caution) that it does apply.

VAT is not LL's fault. I too have had to start raising prices to compensate. It's a slow process and it will hurt those who make little or no profit the most. If you're in Europe and unhappy with this then contact your elected officials and stop blaming LL.

If you want to trade internationally it's in your interest to make yourself aware of local laws on the trade of international goods.

From the town hall, it appears that LL doesn't have an official business presence in the EU (which would actually put all European residents on the same level since it would require LL to charge a universal VAT rate instead of the current per country one). They have *something* in the UK, but nothing named after LL apparantly.

Whether or not LL has a presence in the EU is irrelevant anyway. The regulation stands for all foreign businesses conducting business with European consumers and the majority of them with enough EU revenue are voluntarily complying.

Then this was a really bad calculation from their side.

VAT or Value Added Tax is a legal requirement for any business that offers goods and/or services to the public in European countries. Lets not put the blame on LL for doing what they are required to by Law. and yes..VAT is a secondary income tax and I personally think it a huge burden upon the working people. but really, it has nothing to do with LL