Sometimes you just can’t make this stuff up. If you’re a proprietor in New York state of “Gentleman’s Clubs,” make sure you add sales tax on those lap dances, if they’re in a private room at your establishment. That’s definitely taxable because “…it’s an admission fee to that particular room,” according to Michael Bucci, a spokesman for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. And, as this news story notes, Bucci noted that lap dance in the public part of the club are not taxable.
Still, Richard Snowden and his “Tally-Ho Club” of Cheektowaga, NY (suburban Buffalo) are in trouble with the Department of Taxation. New York alleges that he owes $216,000 in sales taxes on private lap dances. Additionally, he has a residency dispute with New York. Snowden believes his primary residence was in Nevada in 2002 and 2003 (he owns a Las Vegas strip club, too); however, New York tax authorities disagree and want another $250,000 in income tax.
Still, the idea of a tax on lap dances is certainly intriguing…and different. Which is one reason I believe that the chances for uniform sales tax rules and regulations throughout the United States is essentially zero.
Tags: StripClubs