lela martens on tue 1 apr 08
Hi all,
We are having an issue with our city council here, and it has a
lot to do with potters, artists etc. I`d appreciate opinions, and
particularly other Canadian rates.
Here a home business costs $440.00 a year. You are not allowed
to have an advertising sighn, and you won`t get a license if they
figure enough parking isn`t available. That`s 600% of commercial.
If you claim only phone,desk,the rate is about $350.00.
Commercial business pays $70.00, with all the advertising, walk in custome=
rs, etc.
They pay 200% property taxes over residencial.
Their thinking is to level the field for the independant commercial. One o=
f my
arguments in the letter to the editor, was `why penalize home, when it`s th=
e
bog box stores that are destroying the independany? among other things..
So, we are wondering about elsewhere. Are any other municipalities this wo=
nkey?
Medicine Hat charges $63.00.
I could write more, but want to keep fairly short.
Thanks.
Lela Martens, southern Alberta, Canada
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Terrance Lazaroff on wed 2 apr 08
Lela;
I remember Medicine Hat. I find it difficult to believe that they are
levying such an amount for a home business licence.
Cities are always looking for ways to increase the cash revenue so that the
council members can give it away and look good.
Nevertheless, a pottery is classed as industrial manufacturing as it
converts one material to another. As such the city can levy business taxes
on organizations in this definition. You should check if there is a break
for artist activities.
In Montreal, Professional Artists or Craft persons working in a commercial
establishment can request a rebate for the business tax but they still must
pay the service tax. Service taxes are for garbage and snow removal and of
course fire and security. The two taxes are about the amount so the
savings is about 50 percent. I have not heard of anyone working from their
home being charged a business tax. I have had the city people in my house
during tax revaluation and they have seen my set up and there was no
questions asked. My taxes went up but that was because of home
improvements.
I suggest you look to your Alberta Cultural representatives. If you have a
provincial craft or art organization get them involved. Get in touch with
your member of parliament and get him involved. The present government is
one that promoted the small businesses.
Depending upon your revenue, you can tell the city that you are not a
business. But you will not be able to take advantage of the business tax
breaks. These are not really that much of a break. You can call it a
hobby and if you make revenue you declare is as "other revenue" on your tax
page. You just won't be able to deduct expenses.
My revenue is such that if the city came after me as a business in my home,
I would declare a hobby and tell them to get lost.
Terrance (I hope the city is not monitoring my e-mails)
On Tue, 1 Apr 2008 17:34:58 +0000, lela martens wrote:
>Hi all,
> We are having an issue with our city council here, and it has a
>lot to do with potters, artists etc. I`d appreciate opinions, and
>particularly other Canadian rates.
> Here a home business costs $440.00 a year. You are not allowed
>to have an advertising sighn, and you won`t get a license if they
>figure enough parking isn`t available. That`s 600% of commercial.
> If you claim only phone,desk,the rate is about $350.00.
> Commercial business pays $70.00, with all the advertising, walk in
customers, etc.
> They pay 200% property taxes over residencial.
> Their thinking is to level the field for the independant commercial. One
of my
>arguments in the letter to the editor, was `why penalize home, when it`s
the
>bog box stores that are destroying the independany? among other things..
> So, we are wondering about elsewhere. Are any other municipalities this
wonkey?
>Medicine Hat charges $63.00.
> I could write more, but want to keep fairly short.
>Thanks.
>Lela Martens, southern Alberta, Canada
>_________________________________________________________________
>Turn every day into $1000. Learn more at SignInAndWIN.ca
>http://g.msn.ca/ca55/213
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
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lela martens on wed 2 apr 08
Hi Terrance,
Thank you very much for the reply.=20
I am , among others, running around with a petition in Lethbridge.
It is here that the home business license is $440.00. Medicine Hat,
and everywhere else is much less. Our mayor comes up with ridiculous
excuses like the independant commercial is suffering from the big box
stores. Yes, but why ding home business?=20
In my petiton wanderings, talking to people I`ve learned that pre-teen
dog walkers trying to earn a few dollars must pay this fee. A person who
had a card with contact info and what they do, was charged $1000.00 for
not having a license. A woman teaching a few kids to sew in her basement m=
ust
pay or get charged!
Myself, I sell in our guild sales and a few gallery gift shops...a very fe=
w from home.
I`m under the radar so far...but my letter to the editor is creating some a=
ttention.
If you are inclined, it`s the Lethbridge Herald, letter to editor, March 29=
.
It`s mainly the principle. Thanks again, I`ll check what`s going on provi=
ncially, but
this is Alberta....
Lela
> Cities are always looking for ways to increase the cash revenue so that =
the> council members can give it away and look good.
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