Sliced Bagels, Taxes on Top

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 08-24-10 | JACOB GERSHMAN

[GOP_Lady]

What's the tax on a bagel? It depends how you slice it—or in the case of New York, if you slice it.

State tax officials, under orders from cash-strapped Albany to ramp up their audit and compliance efforts, have begun to enforce one of the more obscure distinctions within the state's sales tax law.

In New York, the sale of whole bagels isn't subject to sales tax. But the tax does apply to "sliced or prepared bagels (with cream cheese or other toppings)," according to the state Department of Taxation and Finance. And if the bagel is eaten in the store, even if it's never been touched by a knife, it's also taxed.

[GOP_Lady]

Bruegger's Bagels' owner posted signs telling customers it is Albany that is raising its prices.

[GOP_Lady]

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[ronnyquest]

Yup, something has to give soon.

[Artemis Webb]

For over 30 years bagels and coffee have been my be all/end all for breakfast. For me this would be worth violent revolution.

[tflabo]

I’ll have a sesame seed bagel sliced and with a shmear of democrat spread on top for 8 cents more.

[Clint Williams]

The answer is easy. Tax the lawmakers themselves by slicing them.

[tflabo]

That’s not fair—only the customers making over $200k/year should have to pay the additional bagel tax. NYers didn’t realize that voting for democrats every election would get them on their bagels too.

[Psycho_Bunny]

Reminds me of Dennis Miller’s, “The Founding Fathers? Don’t try and tell me about the Founding Fathers. Do you think the Founding Fathers would put up with ANY of the sh!t that’s going on in this country today? These cats pulled out muskets and started blowing peoples heads off over a little tax on a breakfast beverage........AND IT WASN’T EVEN COFFEE! Imagine if someone had screwed with their espressos: they would have conquered the Earth.”

[Tench_Coxe]

I wish I could say that was funny, but that may, in the future, become reality.

[MarkL]

I’ll have a sesame seed bagel sliced and with a shmear of democrat spread on top for 8 cents more.

I don't like dealing with people... I LOVE garlic bagels with garlic spread for breakfast (and lunch, dinner, and snacks!)

Mark

[MarkL]

I’ll have a sesame seed bagel sliced and with a shmear of democrat spread on top for 8 cents more.

I don't like dealing with people... I LOVE garlic bagels with garlic spread for breakfast (and lunch, dinner, and snacks!)

Mark

[Secret Agent Man]

Well at least you know where you stand.

[Dexter Morgan]

Sell the bagels whole, then offer complimentary slicing/dressing at the other end of the counter.

[TXnMA]

Perhaps this explains why the bagels we by here in Texas are never sliced completely through — and have to be pulled/cut apart...

[Artemis Webb]

"Perhaps this explains why the bagels we by here in Texas are never sliced completely through — and have to be pulled/cut apart..."

That seems to be pretty much the case everywhere. It's a mystery to me too but as I love my bagels I just accept it as one would a wife who leaves the cap off the toothpaste.

[Wilum]

A related story:

http://www.uticaod.com/topstories/x7661078/Hook-Line-and-Sinker-may-be-sold

Read what this business man has to say about our dear ole’ New York State!

[MaggieCarta]

Reminds me of Dennis Miller’s, “The Founding Fathers? Don’t try and tell me about the Founding Fathers. Do you think the Founding Fathers would put up with ANY of the sh!t that’s going on in this country today? These cats pulled out muskets and started blowing peoples heads off over a little tax on a breakfast beverage........AND IT WASN’T EVEN COFFEE! Imagine if someone had screwed with their espressos: they would have conquered the Earth.”

Thanks for the reminder! I love Dennis Miller.