4% Tax on Theater Tickets Proposed by Gov.- Page 3

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 11:34am

It still comes out less than if they were taxed in the first place, which they aren't.

I'm not necessarily for or against it because I don't have all the facts, but the bottom line is they have been tax-free for years.

Food and clothing ~ which are basic necessities ~ are understandably tax-free to a certain point. As much as we all love theatre, it is NOT a necessity.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 11:35am

For most people. Deprive Corine of her comped tickets to Avenue Q and Forbidden Broadway and she begins to foam at the mouth.

[broadfan327]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 1:40pm

I am just curious for the out of towners, how much do you typically spend a night on a hotel? Manhattan is not the cheapest place to take a vacation. As a comparison, Las Vegas/Nevada years ago increased or added a tax on its show tickets. I am not defending the proposed tax increase, I am just curious what people's budgetary expectations are for vacationing in New York City. I live close by in New Jersey, so I have never had to think about this issue.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 2:43pm

They should just legalize marijuana and tax that ... the state would make a fortune.

[Winston3]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 3:36pm

Do I like the tax? No, I don't but I do understand it. Believe it or not we don't need theatre to get by in our lives. Do we like it? Yes. Is it a fun thing to do? Yes. But, do we need it to get by in our daily lives? No we don't. After interning this past summer with a consulting group that works for local NYC/Nassau County politicians I learned the common expression used in politics. You don't go into politics of any level for the money.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 5:55pm

Once they get 4, they will not stop at that. The next time they need money they will increase it. An example is the facility fee. All it does is go up.

Updated On: 12/22/08 at 05:55 PM

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 6:08pm

We do need theatre because it is a form of escapism.

[bundy5000]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 6:19pm

it all adds up. But notice the fear in the public's eyes. I recently took some sociology classes and we (Americans) haven't been this stricken since the fears that lingered right after 9/11. It is an entirely different matter but similar effects.

That cubby Bernstein youtube stunt was cheap yet it did only good in XANDU's marketing (I really don't think it downplayed the chances for The Tony results). I may not know business that well but it seems Broadway needs a PR/Advertising/or whatever Marketing Overhaul.

Remember though we don't invest for theater , Theater invests in us the audience.

Updated On: 12/22/08 at 06:19 PM

[Winston3]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 11:53pm

B3TA07, yes, theatre is a way to escape into a different world for awhile. But, we don't need it the same way we do need food or clothing. There is no tax on food or clothing because we must have those in order to live. But, when it comes down to it the average person won't die without a trip to the theatre. But, they will die without food.

Also, my dad who is a doctor found it ironic that they are going to tax non diet sodas. He said that he found this ironic because the chemicals that they use to make it diet end up making it no worse or better for you then regular soda.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/25/08 at 2:41pm

I meant that a vast majority of society requires some form or escapism to grapple with the reality of their lives, especially in down times such as right now. For many it will be found at the cinema but for some theatre is the way to go.

Someone, bring back Seussical.

[Winston3]

Posted: 12/25/08 at 2:49pm

B3TA07, your right that for some people their form of escape is going to the movies whereas for others it is going to the theatre. They have sales tax on movies you have to pay for TV if you want that. I honestly don't see anything wrong with taxing theatre tickets. It is a luxury that we don't need to survive. There is a tax on other forms of entertainment like the movies so I don't see what the big deal is for taxing another form of entertainment

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/25/08 at 3:11pm

broadfan327...I am not crazy about the tax but when I plan my trip to New York I kind of know it is going to be a bit expensive. I don't have to stay at a hotel so that is a big expense I don't have to worry about. I stay at a friend's. I usually get all of my show tickets ahead of time so that expense is out of the way. I like aisle seats so with that charge in place and now possibly this, I am not really happy. But as mentioned, theater really isn't a real need (Although I have to say it kind of is for us theater fans!) so if the tax goes through, I will just pay it. But it seems there are a few other things in that proposal that will also impact tourists so I figure I will just adjust accordingly. I usually make sure I have a lot of money available for my trips and usually come home having not spent all of the money I budgeted to spend. For me, one of the biggest expenses is drinks. It is always just a bit of a shock when I pay 8.00 for a cocktail there that I only pay $2.00 to $3.00 for here in Denver.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow]

Posted: 12/25/08 at 4:06pm

There's no tax on food and clothing in NYC? Really?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/25/08 at 4:16pm

Those are next years taxes.

This is just the beginning boys & girls because they cannot kick the spending habit in NY & municipal governments no matter what. Tax dollars are like heroin to an addict. An addict may rob to feed his habit so do Santas elves in Albany & NYC.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/25/08 at 4:18pm

"I honestly don't see anything wrong with taxing theatre tickets."

Neither do I, though it is a minor annoyance when you take into account other additional charges such as "Fees," etc. that are not all that necessary.

Forgive me but is the tax going to be on the face value of the ticket or on the total w/ additional fees already added?

[Winston3]

Posted: 12/25/08 at 4:34pm

B3TA07, My guess is that it is going to be another added on fee. I don't think that the sales tax on anything is added onto the total price of something. When it comes to the service fees I do agree that they suck. When it comes to things like that Ticketmaster and Telecharge can charge what the want for service fees. This is only because they are considered private businesses and can charge what they want.