The weekly newsletter for Fed2 by ibgames

EARTHDATE: October 21, 2007

Inside Scoop page 1


TAX SUGGESTIONS

by Hazed

With the return of the taxman, I received a great many emails complaining about his return, requesting extensions, and offering suggestions. The following exchange is an example of some of the work that this demi-goddess must do to administer the Galaxy.

To: feedback@ibgames.com
From: Zardoz@Unlimitedltd.gal
Subject: Taxes

Hey Hazed

Haven't received any response to my 500 e-mails regarding "Enlarging your Planet Size", so I guess you and Bella must be like super busy. Anyway, I noticed in the Star that you were going to re-introduce taxes to the game. I know that you would want an accountant's advice on this subject, so I thought I'd offer my 2 cents (well 1 cent after tax... lol... ok, accountant's humor).

I believe that the reintroduction of taxes must be handled with the utmost of care. We here in these United States take a very dim view of any form of taxation without representation, and therefore must insist that we form some sort of representative governing council that will administer the budget and review the expenditure of the tax funds received. Of course, all of the work will be subject to audit, and must be certified and displayed in an appropriate location and available to all the players to inspect, peruse, and vilify on a weekly basis.

Also, if I may offer the following suggestion, the tax rate as currently assessed does not take into account the myriad of conditions that face the average player today. For instance, I believe that I should receive some type of deduction for my alts. They are truly dependent upon me, so I should be able to list them as dependents and deduct the cost of their care, cleaning, and upkeep on my tax return. In addition, since many of my transactions are from one alt to another, there should be some mechanism that rolls up the transactions into one consolidated return. In this way if I have an alt that has a balance less than the statutory maximum, the difference should be applied against my alt that has a balance in excess of this statutory maximum.

Finally, and I must admit, I am somewhat hesitant to bring this up but, one of my alts, Alcapone, protests in the most strongest fashion any type of income tax. He is vehemently opposed to these taxes, and wanted me to express his dissatisfaction with their reintroduction.

I'd be happy to discuss this further. Attached is a spreadsheet that analyzes in detail the effect of taxes upon the rate of exchange, comm chatter, and the amount of players on line. I've included several graphs that show the linkage between the amount of taxes assessed, and the amount of times Dj complains about his ISP.


To: Zardoz@Unlimitedltd.gal
From feedback@ibgames.com
Subject: RE: Taxes

Zardoz,

We've spoken before about spreadsheets. We would be happy to create a new rank called CPA. You would be responsible for preparing the tax returns for each company, each cycle. Failure to file would have substantial penalties. You would be able to claim your dependents that way. Should we put the rank in?

Hazed


To: feedback@ibgames.com
From: Zardoz@Unlimitedltd.gal
Subject: RE: Taxes

There are 107 companies.


To: Zardoz@Unlimitedltd.gal
From feedback@ibgames.com
Subject: RE: Taxes

Yes, you will be busy won't you.


To: feedback@ibgames.com
From: Zardoz@Unlimitedltd.gal
Subject: RE: Taxes

Well, there is a lot to be said for a flat rate tax... no problems here with the tax. Alcapone will just have a planet named Alcatraz. Great job you're doing.

Thanks,

Zardoz


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