Always get you in the end

[expat]

Here in Germany, as of next January if you do not have a TV or radio and therfore do not pay for a TV licence but have a computer with internet access, you will have to pay

[ozzy72]

I think the line is "We're from Brussels, please bend over and drop your trousers...."

[expat]

Just read a little more, if you have a mobile phone that can access the internet then you must also pay  :P

Matt

[rootbeer]

Sounds like you need a dose of freedom. Move [back] to the US...

[Woodlouse2002]

Sounds like you need a dose of freedom. Move [back] to the US...

That's a good one.

[TacitBlue]

Isn't The_ex_pat originally from Britain?

Anyway, This whole TV/radio license thing is foreign to me. Are you saying that you have to pay for TV even if you only watch the public broadcasts (ie. no cable)?

[rootbeer]

It's just a tax. We have it on our cable bills. It's called a franchise tax. We have no taxes on listening to the radio. Government is forever looking for ways to raid your pocket. Why is it that they must never do with less, but you always have to find ways to pay what they demand?

[Ijineda]

Here in Austria its the same - taxes for everything (even dogs!). But for the TV-tax, one simple advise: dont pay. Thats what I do, theres nothing they can do - in order to check wether you have a TV they have to come into your house, and only the police is allowed so. So they can never verify if you meet the facts and they will never charge you.

On the other hand, taxes are there for the benifit of all, you included.

[expat]

Isn't The_ex_pat originally from Britain?

And lives in Germany, hense "the-ex-pat"


Matt

[pepper_airborne]

I never understood why we would need to pay  the governement for ertaining ourselves, we already pay public television so they dont have a right to charge on the internet, like they own it.

Doog taxes are actualy quite understandable, they shit all over the place here, since there bosses cant/wont take the time to clean it up. So, let em pay for the cost(not that the governement actualy cleans it.).

[expat]

Here in Austria its the same - taxes for everything (even dogs!). But for the TV-tax, one simple advise: dont pay. Thats what I do, theres nothing they can do - in order to check wether you have a TV they have to come into your house, and only the police is allowed so. So they can never verify if you meet the facts and they will never charge you.

On the other hand, taxes are there for the benifit of all, you included.

Here in Germany, you would only have to pay the back dated amount deemed to be owed, however in the UK, it is a little different. Non payment runs at, up to 6 months in prison and a 1000 pound Sterling fine. Ironically, jump into your car drunk, kill someone, if you get a "good" judge, you will get a couple of points on your licence and a couple of hundred pounds in  fines.  

Matt

[Wing Nut]

BOHICA!  ;D

[Chris_F]

It's just a tax. We have it on our cable bills. It's called a franchise tax. We have no taxes on listening to the radio. Government is forever looking for ways to raid your pocket. Why is it that they must never do with less, but you always have to find ways to pay what they demand?

Assuming you're speaking about the US, that's an entirely different tax.  The US tax pays for right-of-ways used by cable companies to bring cable to your home.  It isn't a content tax.  For example, good 'ol airwave TV (networks via rabit ears) are not taxed, radio is not taxed.  I don't know about satelite TV services, I would assume that's taxed differently, if at all.

The German tax (and I believe these are common in Europe, no?) is to cover content from the government run/funded media outlets.  In the use almost all media outlets are privately funded.  Some charge you directly (cable), some don't charge you a dime (radio and rabit ears).  As a consumer you can pick if you wish to purchase contet or not.

What happens in Germany if you own a TV but only use it to watch movies?  Do you still get taxed?

[Ijineda]

What happens in Germany if you own a TV but only use it to watch movies?  Do you still get taxed?

Yes. You only have to own a TV to get taxed, even if you never watch it (or use it as a table  ;D).