Chuck is always available to answer any questions we might have regarding our accounting or taxes, and Jerry Kubrak goes above and beyond our expectations in keeping our computer systems up and running.  WD&W has exceeded my expectations.

STEVE PERSONS, Creative Benefit Strategies, Inc.

Bizarre Tax Laws of 2010

By Melanie Vickerman Melanie Vickerman

Lots of people have read humorous lists of outdated or bizarre laws, still on the books:

  • Fishing for whales on Sunday is illegal (in Ohio!).
  • Participating in or conducting a duel is prohibited. 
  • Installing and using slot machines in outhouses is forbidden.

These laws are rather funny to read nowadays, but you may find that the odd tax laws of 2010 aren't quite as laughable.  Thompson Reuters combined a list of the year's most unusual taxes, and the logic behind some of them will leave you scratching your head for sure.

Hot air balloons - Kansas
Want to go for a ride in a hot air balloon?  You won't be taxed.  Want to stand in a hot air balloon while it's tethered to the ground?  You will be taxed!  Lawmakers thought this one through and decided that a tethered balloon classifies as entertainment (taxable), but an un-tethered balloon (where the balloon is actually piloted by someone) is considered carrying passengers in air commerce and therefore not taxable.  No word yet on whether scanning or pat-downs are necessary. =)

Rubber boots and belt buckles - Texas
All boots are not created equal.  For some reason Texas has decreed that rubber boots and climbing boots should be taxed, but cowboy boots and hiking boots should not.  They've also decided that belts are exempt.  It's the belt buckle that will cost you extra.

Bagels - New York
"Is that for here or to go?" is question on the lips of New York bagel shop cashiers. Regardless of whether or not you add the cream cheese, merely having your bagel sliced and eating it in the bagel shop means you'll now pay sales tax.

Cup lids - Colorado
Colorado has decided to tax "non-essential food items and packaging provided with purchased food or beverage items."  Worse, they've somehow concluded that cups are essential packaging items, but cup lids are not.  My guess is that these lawmakers have never been around children and that they will curiously still opt to place drinks in their cars' cup holders with the "non-essential" lid.

Candy without flour - Washington
Which candy has flour in it and which doesn't?  In June 2010 legislators in Washington added a Candy Tax for candy without flour in it.  Reese's Cups, Hersheys, and Snickers were suddenly taxable, but Kit Kats, Crunch Bars, and Twizzlers weren't.  Confusing?  The voters thought so.  By December 2nd the law was repealed.