Florida to Tax Home Networks

Wired News ^ | 02:00 AM Jun. 24, 2004 PT | Michelle Delio

[avg_freeper]

Florida state officials are considering taxing home networks that have more than one computer, under a modified 1985 state law that was intended to tax the few businesses that used internal communication networks instead of the local telephone company.

Officials from Florida's Department of Revenue held a meeting on Tuesday to see whether the law would apply to wired households, and exactly who would be taxed. About 200 people attended, including community and business representatives.

[avg_freeper]

I haven't had a chance to read through the whole article yet. Thought I'd post it here first for discussion.

[SheLion]

The lawmakers want their hands in our pockets at all times! ~gag...........

[Lunatic Fringe]

The tax would go, in part, toward school construction and other projects.

It's a tax for the children...

[stuartcr]

How would this be inforced? How would the state even know you had more than one computer?

[Lady Composer]

THIS is ridiculous!

[chris1]

We need another tea party. Things are so out of control, everywhere, the gov't. just can't get enough of our money.

[fhlh]

big brother :)

They know.... oh yes... they know...

[neutrino]

How would this be inforced? How would the state even know you had more than one computer?

Register assault routers!

[ladylib]

Look for other states to follow suit, especially if it's going to bring in $1 billion per year.

Floridians better stop this in its tracks.

[stuartcr]

Well, when you don't have a state income tax, I guess you have to generate revenue anyway possible. So much for Jeb's thoughts on smaller govt.

[jriemer]

How would this be inforced? How would the state even know you had more than one computer?

In the case of a wireless network (which are currently the most popular), it would be relatively easy for the state to identify which homes have one and which ones don't. The method of detection is similar to the technique used in England to collect on the "TV tax".

[apillar]

Yep, I going to report and pay taxes on my router and home network, just like I always send in a check for sales tax when I order something off the internet and of course report and pay income tax on that $200 I make at my annual yard sale... (sarcasm off)

[Graybeard58]

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush would have to approve any rule the tax department suggests. Bush has said he isn't in favor of the tax,

Won't happen.

[peteram]

First, many people who have multiple computers networked in their homes do not necessecarily operate businesses. In fact, many new homes down here are going up pre-wired so that the whole family could get on line.

Second, the only other way (besides the one mentioned in the article) that anyone outside the home would know if you have a network is if you request that your provider (broadband or DSL) does the installation for you. Many times they might charge extra for multiple computers. I installed my own network. My provider doesn't know (nor should they) that I have multiple computers.

So, how will the state know - short of physically coming into your home - how many computers you have on a network if you don't tell anyone?

[stuartcr]

It seems that with a proper firewall, all they would know is that you have a RF device with an IP address, not necessarily that you have a network, or how big. I would think that the cost of implementing the surveillance units necessary to detect such small outputs, would be pretty high. Lot's of people, like in Britain, would simply see the vehicle coming down the street, and turn it off. I guess they would just have to tax the retail outlets that sell the units, but that wouldn't go over very well either...probably result in a lot of black market routers.

[TXBSAFH]

This reminds me of a line from a letter written by a man to his congressman during the war of northern aggression, "Excuse me sir, is the majority always drunk?!"

[CasearianDaoist]

When you outlaw routers only outlaws will have routers. The rest of us will just have switches.

[Dead Corpse]

I've got three PC's and an old MAC on my home network. They can probably make a guess at how many computers you have the same way they would if they were looking for grow lights those who grow their own dope use. Some computers use almost as much juice as your average microwave.

Or, they can get simple "sneak and peek" search of your house while you are at work. Or they can hack your router. Or a myriad of ways that they can legally get away with now thanks to the Patriot Act and the DMCA.

If this becomes precident, consider the Republic toast. It may already be, but we could at least drop the pretences.

[Independentamerican]

. I installed my own network. My provider doesn't know (nor should they) that I have multiple
computers.
So, how will the state know - short of physically coming into your home - how many computers
you have on a network if you don't tell anyone?

My thoughts exactly !!

[TommyDale]

And I am definitely going to report that I purchased several thousand dollars worth of merchandise on the internet from out of state companies, just so I can pay a state sales tax! (/sarcasm)