VAT-Another one bites the dust.

I so fucking tired of all this bullshit. It's true, this place is becoming a toxic shithole. Must we repeat the same nonsense over and over? *And yes, this pot is calling the kettle blhack*

I agree that Linden Lab handled it badly. I'm sure based on information others are providing that they may still not be handling it correctly. I apologize for invalidating anyones complaint about that. I still say, however, that based on what I see here and in the many, many other threads that the real complaint is the tax itself. LL is not the one to complain to about that.

You would think if they showed the Taxman how badly SL actually works they would agree-

There is no Value to tax: Added or Otherwise.

So all that is needed in addition to the usual invoice/acknowledgment of payment is the VAT number of the merchant, in this case LL? Sounds simple enough to add or make available.

I`m guessing the the name VAT is a synonym, The Value is the key to that.. I see no valid reason to tax something that is only mine at creation.., since anything in SL is only mine in name.. i make something, upload it, use it on digital space i pay for ( tax paid already on the money that enabled that.).. associated to me,, but in reality.. it could all go instantly, ive no control.
The Value?.. that i can do it.. like i can buy anything in real life..

The difference... It isnt a tangible purchase.. it doesnt exist as a physical thing.. i cant take it away..SL doesnt do that, i cant store it under my control, its never really mine on SL. I pay to have the means, to use the software..

one can muse on the "Value" of that.. and accept or deny it.. That at least is something i have control over still.. my choice.

I choose to pay or not.

And the amount of tax paid, as this may vary. But yes, with those additions it's basically the same as any other receipt.

Well, no. You don't choose to pay sales tax, because you don't pay it. The merchant pays it and adds it on to the price you pay. I suppose you have the choice whether to buy the thing at all or not in the first place but paying the tax is not optional for you.

But many Europeans do... we support these taxes and what they are used for.... after all we chosen these governments.... without the need to bring up Germany, Hitler, Vietnam, Iraqi, Darfur or any other bad spot in history or time.

(Ergo: I am currently very sick at home.... I now know where I paid these taxes for... more then 20 years. Basically I always knew...)

Morwen.

Well, not in Germany. A simple email as receipt that you print out is not enough and will not be accepted by the tax authority.

What _is_ accepted? Given that the purpose is to tie the purchase to a tax payment.

and yet the online bill is sufficient to BILL the VAT? Sounds like Germany needs to enter the digital age.

So do LL have a physical base in the UK? And if so, I presume they have a VAT registration.

How about reading the VAT FAQ, and all the official blog posts concerning VAT? Like, where they tell you what LL's VAT number is? How many times does it have to be said that LL has provided these things? They may not be in 100% compliance with all European countries, or may only have to deal with one - but still, it is not something RESIDENTS can answer beyond pointing you to the VAT FAQ and the VAT blogs.

While you are new and are entitled to enter discussion, if you are bleating about the tax itself, you are not going to get much sympathy. And Bradley is right, most of the complaints that continue on and on are really just a veil for anger at paying VAT at all.

Actually, they don't seem to be complaining about paying the VAT - they seem to be complaining that everyone else isn't...

Really? Most of the actual complaints I've seen have been from business owners who, under the law, are _not supposed_ to be paying VAT..

I think you are exaggerating that. I have only seen one read one person and that was in this thread who even implied they were VAT registered.

It sounds like those VAT registered have a legitimate concern. But they surely aren't the majority of complainants.

EU826011179

The wheels on the bus go round and round........

All through the (European) town...

Only if they paid the VAT

Aaaaah! That's going to stick in my head all night!

No. The exact problem is that businesses in SL _can't_ VAT register, because LL hasn't provided them any ability to meet the legal obligations they'd have to meet in order to be VAT registered.

Many complainants are businesses who _could_ VAT register if L$ transactions were more legitimised, and LL could manage the identification of Euro users.

Ahh so either the majority you speak of have been very poorly articulating this, or have been posting elsewhere.

Because this stuff didn't come to specific light till this thread on these forums. Thus having a hard time being a majority.

You don't half get your knickers in a twist do you. How many times do you have to be told - I am NOT complaining about paying VAT.

It's refreshing to see that not everyone on this forum comes over as angry as you. But thanks for taking the time to reply anyway.

No, a lot of the business owners were complaining about having to pay VAT, it's true, and were probably complaining directly about the tax.

However, this may have been because they weren't aware that as businesses they aren't supposed to be paying VAT on anything that would make them uncompetitive as a result.