(not really an issue for me, but a headsup to other folks)

Dunno how this might play out for other mp3 players, but Apple is going to have to charge sales tax on ipods...never mind that they can be treated as a computer supply (external hard drive). (going by the answer I got from the guy at the store...we'll see what actually happens when I go in.) edit I was told that Apple is trying to get out of having to charge the sales tax.

What really chaps my ass is that according to
http://www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/Holiday_4-06.pdf
http://www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/Holiday_FAQ.pdf

ipods are not specifically excluded...and are included. (first link, item 4: "computer storage media")

Like I said, I'll see what transpires when I'm in and my card is charged.

Should you be charged tax when you shouldn't be, take your receipt to the retailer and they have to issue you a refund. just an FYI.

[Edited on July 31, 2006 at 1:16 PM. Reason : edited...forgot the big part.]

7/31/2006 1:08:50 PM

i'd imagine you could argue the computer storage side - but would lose to anyone with some sort of technical knowledge that wanted to argue against you

7/31/2006 1:15:27 PM

I thought the whole point of the tax free weekend was to help people get school supplies. I don't consider an iPod a school supply.

Quote :

"A “computer supply” is an item commonly used by a student in a course of study in which a computer is used."

Which course requires the iPod? I'd say the primary function of an iPod is being a media player, which are also excluded.

7/31/2006 1:22:28 PM

Quote :

"I thought the whole point of the tax free weekend was to help people get school supplies. I don't consider an iPod a school supply."

In theory, yes? Maybe? $100 jeans != school supply, but they're allowed. Ditto for baby blankets and diapers. Essentials? Yes, but they aren't school supplies, so to say it's a tax break on school supplies isn't accurate.

Quote :

"Which course requires the iPod? I'd say the primary function of an iPod is being a media player, which are also excluded."

I don't see media players excluded. Even if they were, you could, after all, call a computer an internet-enabled media player, if you felt like splittig hairs and arguing nomenclature.

7/31/2006 1:27:53 PM

Quote :

"I don't see media players excluded. Even if they were, you could, after all, call a computer an internet-enabled media player, if you felt like splittig hairs and arguing nomenclature."

he said

Quote :

"primary function"

you will lose this argument - you can wear jeans to school and they serve a purpose (in almost every single case) - an ipod does not (in almost every single case)

they will not have tax free levis and then tax sevens

7/31/2006 1:33:07 PM

What if you're going to DUke and taking one of those iPod courses?

7/31/2006 1:34:52 PM

then it's included in your tuition....gg moron

7/31/2006 1:35:19 PM

Quote :

"you will lose this argument - you can wear jeans to school and they serve a purpose (in almost every single case) - an ipod does not (in almost every single case)"

I'm not the one making the argument. Apple is taking it to the state. There's a reason I included diapers and blankets in my post above - this isn't strictly a tax break on school necessities.

I'd be fine with paying the tax - I'd expected to anyways. But since Apple is already addressing the matter, it's worth putting out there that folks should keep an ear out for further news on this, since if you're charged tax, and Apple successfully fights this, you can get the amount you paid in tax back. It's not a bank breaker, but if it's as simple as knowing where your receipt is and taking it in...I'll do it for $17, and I know I'm not the only one.

7/31/2006 1:36:28 PM

Quote :

"I don't see media players excluded. Even if they were, you could, after all, call a computer an internet-enabled media player, if you felt like splittig hairs and arguing nomenclature."

Yes, but you can't call an iPod a keyboard, fullsize monitor, wordprocessing, internet connected (ad nauseam) enable school tool, now can you?

A fuckin iPod does not need to be under the tax free blanket you spoiled baby.

7/31/2006 1:38:11 PM

No kidding. This is a losing battle.

7/31/2006 1:39:13 PM

ZOMG YOU GONNA HAVE TO PAY 20.93 IN SALES TAX ON YOUR IPOD


WWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

7/31/2006 1:41:44 PM

I'm just saying that when I hear:

Quote :

"Computer storage media, including diskettes and compact disks"

an iPod doesn't appear on the list, but that's just me. Feel free to buy an iPod in hopes that Apple will win their case (link?) and you can later turn around and hassle people for weeks on end to get your $17 back but I think you'd be better off waiting to see what comes of Apple's addressing of the matter (link?) and get one next year.

7/31/2006 1:42:45 PM

^^^that's why I'm pleased Apple plans to fight it.
^^$16.95, thank you

Quote :

"Feel free to buy an iPod in hopes that Apple will win their case (link?) and you can later turn around and hassle people for weeks on end to get your $17 back but I think you'd be better off waiting to see what comes of Apple's addressing of the matter (link?) and get one next year."

I'll buy one regardless of what happens. No link...I said in the original post this was by phone, and we'll see what plays out.

Quote :

" A fuckin iPod does not need to be under the tax free blanket you spoiled baby."

Can you read?

Quote :

"I'd be fine with paying the tax - I'd expected to anyways."

[Edited on July 31, 2006 at 1:45 PM. Reason : ljsa]

Vthen edit. Everyone else's edit post feature works, and yours does too

[Edited on July 31, 2006 at 1:46 PM. Reason : alkj]

7/31/2006 1:43:21 PM

Shut up whore. I started that post before your latest one was up, did you even consider that in your exceedingly limited capacity to process a thought correctly?

7/31/2006 1:45:44 PM

DUke has a fucking ipod course?? how hard could it be to use one

7/31/2006 1:47:25 PM

iPods are NOT tax free this weekend, nor are external hard drives. Computer storage media is defined as blank CDs/DVDs and floppies. USB drives, external HDDs and iPods are out.

7/31/2006 1:48:33 PM

Quote :

"DUke has a fucking ipod course?? how hard could it be to use one"

No, the students are issued iPods and professors do podcasts of lectures and put it on iTunes, or the Duke Server, I believe, and it is also used in things like music courses so students have access to the music, and such. However, this big program was an experiment by their tech people and it "failed", mostly due to copyright things, so I believe they will not be doing it anymore, or at least, not endorsing it as heavily.

7/31/2006 1:57:23 PM

i wish i had the money to buy my upgrade this weekend. it's gonna have to wait till...well fuck, a month after school starts? (first paycheck? can't remember.)

7/31/2006 2:03:40 PM

bookstore will have the nanos tax-free, but not the videos.

7/31/2006 2:04:43 PM

^wtf? that doesn't make any sense, why would the nanos be tax-free?

7/31/2006 2:45:12 PM

Quote :

"Apple is taking it to the state. There's a reason I included diapers and blankets in my post above - this isn't strictly a tax break on school necessities."

You use diapers for your kids if your have any, and you use blankets to sleep in, both of these would be usefull for school. But the point your trying to make here is there's alot of nonessentials going untaxed, RIGHT? Wrong, uncle sam keeps track of what can and can't be used for an education (wow), Ipods play fucking music, and store data, as awesome as that would be, a computer would be more sufficient, hey guess what, you might already own one of those

Apples trying to be such an group of indy bitches fighting the gov't to save their consumers (dumbasses) some $$$, They'll never win, the reason they exist these days is because the gov't allowed them some sanctity from microcrock. So, yah, put your hopes in the clouds, and maybe it'l rain change on you, but hopefully it's change for the better use of your money.

God this thread is pointless.

7/31/2006 3:03:25 PM

the nanos are being classified as "thumb/flash drives" that fall under the dollar amount specified by the rules. that is why only the nanos will be tax exempt here, not the videos. the videos are over the price set forth by the state.

[Edited on July 31, 2006 at 3:55 PM. Reason : .]

7/31/2006 3:55:08 PM

go to the Apple store, ask about the discount for students, teachers, etc. I got 10% off of two ipods I bought for Christmas presents last year. This was at the one in Southpoint.

7/31/2006 4:08:15 PM

My wife bought her wedding dress on a tax free weekend.


Totally got the discount.

So maybe they are a little liberal with said rules...
Pretty sure she never went to class in it.

[Edited on July 31, 2006 at 4:37 PM. Reason : .]

7/31/2006 4:37:17 PM

Who gives a fuck.

7/31/2006 4:40:56 PM

god this is the most jewish fucking thread i've ever seen on tww

7/31/2006 4:42:23 PM

who cares? iPods blow anyway.

7/31/2006 4:54:15 PM

obligatory

protostar your so hardcore,
like gold teef,
and kitten farts

7/31/2006 4:56:02 PM

disability services issues ipods to students with the microphone accessory so that they can record lectures and play them back later at their leisure. That would be a case where the ipod could have it's main purpose be for learning.

maybe they'd make you buy the ipod and the microphone in order to get the discount? but anyway, there is a way to argue that it is for class and not just for music.

7/31/2006 5:07:03 PM

a lot of crap on that list is nowhere close to being "school supplies"

that said,

Protostar... what mobile media player is better than an iPod, cause i have yet to see one

7/31/2006 5:07:49 PM

This is just my opinion, but the iRiver and iAudio are superior players to the iPod, specifically the iAudio.
If the iPod is the Mercedes of the mp3 player world, then the iAudio is the Roles Royce. Just my opinion though.

7/31/2006 5:29:08 PM

Maybe you should cry about not getting a tax break on your overpriced luxury item that can easily be purchased tax free from 100 online retailers any day of the year.

7/31/2006 6:12:58 PM

not really sure what I said that you're interpreting as bitching about not getting a tax break...

might it have been

Quote :

"I'd be fine with paying the tax - I'd expected to anyways. "

and correct me if I'm wrong...$90 for a 30G is hardly overpriced.

[Edited on July 31, 2006 at 7:29 PM. Reason : in case you can't figure out it...rebate]

7/31/2006 7:29:22 PM

Guess what item students aren't allowed to have in schools.

iPods

So why on earth (beyond playing semantics with the law) should they be tax free.

7/31/2006 11:36:00 PM

That must be one hell of a rebate.

7/31/2006 11:36:42 PM

^ $179 mail in rebate with purchase of new computer and ipod, mac minis excluded.

8/1/2006 12:02:09 AM

Ipods are not tax free this weekend. My husband works at Best Buy and they had their run through for tax free this past weekend and iPods are absolutely not tax free. Hard drives, flash, or pen drives are not considered to be tax free this year. So this excludes all iPods, Nanos as well. I worked as a cashier last year and I believe that flash drives were tax free, but it changes from year to year. Like last year printers were only tax free with the purchase of a computer, but they are tax free this year.

[Edited on August 1, 2006 at 12:14 AM. Reason : .]

8/1/2006 12:13:43 AM

i called the apple store in southpark mall (charlotte) and they said the iPods are definitely taxed this year, but they're offering a $30 instant rebate on the 30-gig one, so it kinda balances out....

8/1/2006 9:54:21 AM

well regardless, you will be getting ipod nanos at the bookstore on campus tax free this weekend. so if you want a nano, come in and get one.

8/1/2006 12:41:05 PM

I already have 3, so I don't need to buy another one

8/1/2006 12:43:44 PM

whenever i worked at the bookstore(school supplies for those that didnt see me there), I think, if i can remember correctly, we allowed customers to get ipods tax-free as long as they purchased it with a computer, becuase it could count as extra hard drive space.

8/1/2006 2:04:54 PM

Quote :

"the nanos are being classified as "thumb/flash drives" that fall under the dollar amount specified by the rules. that is why only the nanos will be tax exempt here, not the videos. the videos are over the price set forth by the state."

8/1/2006 3:11:16 PM

Given that thumb and flash drives aren't tax free this year, I guess the book store is going to be eating a lot of tax chagebacks then.

8/1/2006 11:50:51 PM

why not simply buy it online?

8/1/2006 11:59:43 PM

after checking, i'm mistaken; they are not being classified as thumb/flash drives. instead they are bein classified as PDA's since you can use a calendar/schedule function on the iPods. only the nanos will be exempt due to the price of the videos being over the dollar amount specified by the state.

8/2/2006 12:00:11 AM