NHLPA, Kyle Palmieri, and Scott Wilson sue the city of Pittsburgh

[MMC]

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[typicalsavage]

Someone really needs to explain this im so lost

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

Someone really needs to explain this im so lost

They're taxing athletes who aren't living in the city, I think.

 

[Kamiccolo]

Someone really needs to explain this im so lost

Rich people fighting with other rich people over who gets to be more rich

 

[Paperbagofglory]

The NHL Players’ Association and NHL players Kyle Palmieri and Scott Wilson this week sued the city of Pittsburgh over its 3% jock tax on non-resident sports stars.]

Its a shame that Jock straps are taxed, those things are important especially for lower income athletes.

 

[Mustard]

Before the Preds made any money, they relied on this tax to help keep the lights at Bridgestone on. Now that the team is successful, they're cool with its repeal. Kinda gross but it seems like most parties across the board in TN are wanting to repeal the tax, which is probably a net positive. What's hilarious is that these ridiculous jock taxes exist, but us residents pay $0.00 in state income tax.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Someone really needs to explain this im so lost

"Jock taxes" are a way for local governments to collect taxes from visitors who make money in their city and then leave immediately (e.g. athletes). The idea is that the service is rendered inside the city, therefore the tax should stay inside the city. Some view it as a flat-out cash grab, others see it as a way of recouping public investment in the arena.

More info here: Jock tax - Wikipedia

This specific lawsuit seems to be based around the fact that Pittsburgh charges a different tax rate on the road team than they do on the home team.

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

It's about time someone sued the city of Pittsburgh!

/didn't read the article.
//waves fist in air
///wants all off his lawn (unless they pay lawn tax)

 

[Filthy Dangles]

The U.S Tax system is specifically built like this with all these obscure and complex taxes so that rich people can game the system and find loopholes.

Scott Wilson is a guy who's made close to league minimum his whole career, which is probably more than me and you but not a lot for the lifestyle he lives as a pro hockey player. Palmieri has a lot more comfort than Wilson, though.

 

[mikeyfan]

It's taxation without representation, which is against the US Constitution. These people have no say in the cities Government therefore they have no obligation to be taxed by the City Government.

 

[vancityluongo]

There should be a sticky thread of "hockey news that will not be open for commenting" that gets updated regularly.

 

[typicalsavage]

They're taxing athletes who aren't living in the city, I think.

Rich people fighting with other rich people over who gets to be more rich

"Jock taxes" are a way for local governments to collect taxes from visitors who make money in their city and then leave immediately (e.g. athletes). The idea is that the service is rendered inside the city, therefore the tax should stay inside the city. Some view it as a flat-out cash grab, others see it as a way of recouping public investment in the arena.

More info here: Jock tax - Wikipedia

This specific lawsuit seems to be based around the fact that Pittsburgh charges a different tax rate on the road team than they do on the home team.

So basically Palmieri and Wilson are suing cause they want their money back? It seems like Wilson had to pay these taxes because he was an out of state residence but played in Pittsburgh.

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

So basically Palmieri and Wilson are suing cause they want their money back? It seems like Wilson had to pay these taxes because he was an out of state residence but played in Pittsburgh.

If they're arguing it's unconstitutional, I imagine they want it struck from the law.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Sounds like the issue isn't the tax per se, but the difference between being a resident "jock" (1%) and a visiting "jock" (3%), which makes it a little bit more nuanced than some of the previous posts might indicate.

 

[OVrocks]

How is that tax even constitutional? Sounds like a way to raise revenue for a bunch of corrupt bureaucrats.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Just change it to a fee and you'll be fine, Pittsburgh.

 

[Mikka The Grey]

It's taxation without representation, which is against the US Constitution. These people have no say in the cities Government therefore they have no obligation to be taxed by the City Government.

Seriously? I'm going to guess you were not taught what taxation without representation really means or are not a citizen of the US?
There is representation for each citizen by county, city, and state representatives for these very matters. The US Constitution was created for this purpose among many others.
The comment made about earnings being taxed by the local government (city or state) is absolutely spot on. It is fair to recoup some of that for things like fire and security. I'm being very general in my statements but hope you get the point.

 

[mikeyfan]

Seriously? I'm going to guess you were not taught what taxation without representation really means or are not a citizen of the US?
There is representation for each citizen by county, city, and state representatives for these very matters. The US Constitution was created for this purpose among many others.
The comment made about earnings being taxed by the local government (city or state) is absolutely spot on. It is fair to recoup some of that for things like fire and security. I'm being very general in my statements but hope you get the point.

Really, show me where the players of other teams can vote on those who are leaving taxes against them? Where is their representation? Including those who are not citizens of the USA and are having their money taxed too?

 

[beowulf]

Never agreed with this tax, just a cash grab by the cities that create them.

 

[hatterson]

It's taxation without representation, which is against the US Constitution. These people have no say in the cities Government therefore they have no obligation to be taxed by the City Government.

I'd love for you to point out the specific clause in the constitution this violates and/or any Supreme Court cases upholding that idea.

 

[Jerzey Devil]

Palms is a patriot. He’s just fighting an injustice.

 

[hatterson]

Also for some detail on Pittsburgh's job tax:

https://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/finance/facility_usage_fee.pdf

A Non-Resident Sports Facility Usage Fee is authorized by the Local Tax Enabling Act as amended by Act 22 of 2004, and is imposed by the City code, Title II, Article X, Chapter 271, equal to three (3%) percent of earned income upon each non-resident of Pittsburgh who uses a publicly-funded facility to engage in an athletic event or otherwise render a performance for which a non-resident of Pittsburgh earns compensation. The Usage Fee is a percentage of the individual’s income attributable to such individual’s usage of the facility.

The city of Pittsburgh is functionally saying that since their taxpayers paid for the building, if someone outside their tax base is going to make money off it, they get a cut of the profits.

It's fine to think it's BS for a myrid of reasons. But a sane reason *isn't* taxation without representation.

 

[Beauner]

Sounds like the issue isn't the tax per se, but the difference between being a resident "jock" (1%) and a visiting "jock" (3%), which makes it a little bit more nuanced than some of the previous posts might indicate.

It might even be more complicated than that. The article reads, "Members of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins pay the tax if they live outside city limits". Many of them do, as nice areas and suburbs around town technically aren't within the City of Pittsburgh. so Wilson shouldn't be the only current or former Pen who has had to pay this?

 

[Choralone]

Really, show me where the players of other teams can vote on those who are leaving taxes against them? Where is their representation? Including those who are not citizens of the USA and are having their money taxed too?

You're taking a rallying cry for the lead up to the American Revolutionary War ("No taxation without representation"), and somehow thinking that is enshrined verbatim in the constitution. It is not. Visitors to a municipality or state are not except from sales, hotel taxes, etc.

 

[pi314]

It's about time someone sued the city of Pittsburgh!

/didn't read the article.
//waves fist in air
///wants all of his lawn (unless they pay lawn tax

Finally someone said it.

I’m right there with you.