In a message dated 1/27/00 6:34:24 PM Pacific Standard Time, Terry Peterson writes: << > I have NEVER heard of charging "tax" on a tuning, which is usually ALL labor. I know that there would maybe be tax on parts, if needed, but labor? Is labor tax charged only in certain states? Of course, i am a newbie tuner/tech, so maybe I am just unaware of this matter. I know that in MOST cases, there is NO tax on labor; is piano tuning labor an exception? > > Terry Peterson > "RPT in Training" > LA, CA >> I had never heard of it either coming from the same place as you 24 years ago. The first year I was in business, I charged no tax in Wisconsin and was given an assessment for 4% of all of my gross earnings, early the next year. In Wisconsin, and in the county where I live, the sales tax is now 5.5%. "Piano Tuning", meaning virtually anything a piano technician does, is a taxable service. Although any merchandise would be taxable in any business, things like lawyer's fees, haircutting/styling, and what is called "labor" in auto shops is not. But somehow, our state legislature decided that what piano technicians do should be taxed, and so it is. I learned the hard way that you had better be sure about the law in your area. Ask a practicing RPT in your area what the policy is and if you have to collect tax, how to get set up to do it. Sincerely, Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin
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