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Should Remote Workers Pay a Tax for the 'Privilege' of Using Their Home as an Office?
Reason ^ | 11/12/2020 | CHRISTIAN BRITSCHGI

Posted on 11/13/2020 3:37:12 PM PST by RightGeek

The coronavirus pandemic has devastated the service sector, made millions unemployed, and forced many of us who still do have jobs to work remotely. Fortunately, we now have a perfect solution to all this economic dislocation and disruption: a new tax on working from home!

This week, the German financial giant Deutsche Bank released a new report full of proposals for how governments and corporations should respond to the pandemic. Included in the report is a call for a 5 percent tax on the incomes of people who work from home in places where the government is not advising or forcing people to do so.

"For years we have needed a tax on remote workers—COVID has just made it obvious," writes Deutsche Bank's Luke Templeton. "Remote workers are contributing less to the infrastructure of the economy whilst still receiving its benefits."

Those who have the privilege of telecommuting are reaping rewards hand over fist in the form of less money spent on transportation, restaurant meals, and dry cleaning, argues Templeton.

Who loses in that scenario? Service workers that once catered to downtown desk jockeys, and who now are suffering depressed wages or even unemployment as those office workers spend money closer to home. To right this wrong, Deutsche Bank is proposing a 5 percent tax on remote workers' salaries. This tax would be paid by the employer if it requires people to work from home, and it would be paid by the employee if he or she voluntarily opts into the arrangement.

A 5 percent tax on remote workers' income, which would net about $10 a day per worker on average, according to Deutsche Bank, would make sure no one benefits too much from using their home as an office.

(Excerpt) Read more at reason.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Germany; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: americaaintgermany
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To: RightGeek

No, it’s a scam signed to punish those working from home because the cities and counties in States are using tax revenue as these employees a longer work in metro areas


21 posted on 11/13/2020 3:58:41 PM PST by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://youtu.be/wH-pk2vZG2M)
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To: Sacajaweau

“ All these people should be able to deduct business expenses for the use of space in their home.”

We get that already. No gas needed for the car. No tolls. They will make that up by raising auto registration fees.


22 posted on 11/13/2020 3:59:15 PM PST by EQAndyBuzz (Cloward-Piven is finally upon us.)
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To: RightGeek

I’ve worked from home, about 80% of the time, for the past 15 years. I’ve never bothered with the “home office” tax exemption, because I want to keep my dealings with the IRS at a minimum. But I pay for my internet, electricity, heating/cooling - and even my printer, ink, and paper because it’s easier than expensing it. So THIS luxury they want to tax?!?


23 posted on 11/13/2020 4:00:15 PM PST by NoLongerTrappedInNY
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To: RightGeek

Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman

If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat
If you get too cold I’ll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet

Taxman!
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman

Don’t ask me what I want it for (Aahh Mr. Wilson)
If you don’t want to pay some more (Aahh Mr. Heath)
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman

And you’re working for no one but me
Taxman!


24 posted on 11/13/2020 4:01:17 PM PST by yuleeyahoo (The nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one. Hamilton)
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To: All

Enslave by any means necessary.


25 posted on 11/13/2020 4:01:31 PM PST by mmichaels1970
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To: Still Thinking

All these people should be able to deduct business expenses for the use of space in their home.

Salaried employees, can no longer deduct these expenses.
On their Federal return. Some states still allow.


26 posted on 11/13/2020 4:02:33 PM PST by redrhino47
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To: RightGeek

The United States needs to raise the taxes on congress and the senate and use their retirement funds to pay for everything they screwed up over the years. After they retire they should be taxed at a rate of 80% on pensions and heath care. We should also “Borrow” from their retirement funds before any taxes are ever raised. It is time they paid their “Fair” share! They want fair not us.


27 posted on 11/13/2020 4:04:35 PM PST by Plumberman27
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To: RightGeek

If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat
If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet

‘Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman

- Beatles


28 posted on 11/13/2020 4:05:26 PM PST by llevrok (Aunt Bea was a naughty girl!)
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To: Thommas

Come and take it, MFers


29 posted on 11/13/2020 4:07:29 PM PST by Mouton (The enemy of the people is the media.)
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To: llevrok

Thanks for that.


30 posted on 11/13/2020 4:08:42 PM PST by redrhino47
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To: beekay

you caught that! I figured no one else but me would!


31 posted on 11/13/2020 4:14:26 PM PST by TexasFreeper2009
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To: RightGeek

No. How about I jump in my truck and drive around the block 20x or so, just so that it’s no longer a luxury.


32 posted on 11/13/2020 4:16:12 PM PST by j_guru
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To: RightGeek

No, none of anyone’s business. Are they going to tax closets again?


33 posted on 11/13/2020 4:16:46 PM PST by madison10 (Re Biden: They knew he was a snake when they voted for him.)
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To: RightGeek

I’m guessing teachers, remote government workers, and contractors will be exempt.


34 posted on 11/13/2020 4:17:00 PM PST by Sgt_Schultze (When your business model depends on slave labor, you're always going to need more slaves)
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To: RightGeek

Democrats agree!

Now, tax electric cars by the mile since they don’t use gas but still take up space and wear out roads.


35 posted on 11/13/2020 4:18:38 PM PST by SaxxonWoods (Ghislaine Maxwell lives and Joe Biden is losing.)
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To: samadams2000

NOT ONLY NO——HELL NO.

I ran a bookkeeping service out of my home for over 40 years. I went to clients-—picked up data, return it later—done—

Did some work at client’s business...but mostly pick up and deliver.

I only charged for actual bookkeeping time...Never a minimum charge or travel time. I wasn’t a millionaire, but I still have one client—this is the 51st year.

I should pay another excess tax for working from home???

HELL NO.


36 posted on 11/13/2020 4:19:02 PM PST by ridesthemiles
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To: DoubleNickle
Seattle is already trying a variation of this

If I remember, Seattle may raise bus fares because fewer people are riding the buses. In other words, those who do ride the busses will pay the cost of those now not be riding.

37 posted on 11/13/2020 4:19:28 PM PST by llevrok (Aunt Bea was a naughty girl!)
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To: RightGeek

How would they know?


38 posted on 11/13/2020 4:24:06 PM PST by Chickensoup (Voter ID for 2020!! Leftists totalitarian fascists appear to be planning to eradicate conservatives)
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To: NoLongerTrappedInNY

Smart to avoid the home office tax exemption.


39 posted on 11/13/2020 4:26:10 PM PST by Chickensoup (Voter ID for 2020!! Leftists totalitarian fascists appear to be planning to eradicate conservatives)
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To: RightGeek

They’d better pay for a special childcare allotment then. So many are trying to work and take care of small children while home schooling.

The parents need a big stipend for that.


40 posted on 11/13/2020 4:28:49 PM PST by OpusatFR
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