There's nothing left to tax

Why wouldn't they be taxed? It is buying a service and you pay taxes when you buy a service, right? Or I suppose, it could be considered a "tip" and the "lap dancer" pays the taxes on it like a waitress/waitor does.

(06-12-2011 03:03 PM)RobertN Wrote:  Why wouldn't they be taxed? It is buying a service and you pay taxes when you buy a service, right? Or I suppose, it could be considered a "tip" and the "lap dancer" pays the taxes on it like a waitress/waitor does.

I think the post is really tongue in cheek (no pun intended), but you're missing the distinction. Of course, the "income" must be declared and taxed. This is the difference between buying a fruit tray from your grocery, which as a luxury item is taxable... but buying the fruit itself is a "necessity" and thus not taxed. Apparently, "art" including ballet is exempt from tax, but stipper dances aren't considered art, so they are taxed. Not 100% sure how I feel about that... I've certainly seen offensive things that were deemed to be art, but I GENERALLY don't have trouble with it. It certainly taxes the poor and middle class more than the wealthy, though. The wealthy just hire the people as interns, assistants or get them jobs with FNMA.

Of course, as a booze free joint, I suspect they can simply give the lap dances for free, but charge for something else... like $20 for 5 minutes admission to the "gallery", moving you to another room where "art" is displayed if the tax is that onerous.

(06-12-2011 03:03 PM)RobertN Wrote:  Why wouldn't they be taxed? It is buying a service and you pay taxes when you buy a service, right? Or I suppose, it could be considered a "tip" and the "lap dancer" pays the taxes on it like a waitress/waitor does.

Rob, where does it end? And most states, I believe, do not tax labor, they tax goods and services.