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From: jrc@brainiac.mn.org (Jeffrey Comstock)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: More on BBSs and Phone Rates
Message-ID: <16108@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 16 Jan 91 03:26:45 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 42, Message 6 of 6


>>[Moderator's Note: Two issues are involved here: (1) should 'business'
>>phones pay higher rates than 'residence' phones; (2) who should define
>>what is a 'business' and what is not.

The answer to (2) is the IRS.  Tell the phone company to produce tax
records indicating you made a profit from the BBS.  If they can't do
it, it's settled.

This hits a sore spot with me, because I don't charge anyone money for
access to my system, yet the phone company wants to charge me business
rates.  When I make a profit on this, then I will consider paying them
their (outrageous) rates for a business line.


jeff


[Moderator's Note: 'Making a profit' is NOT the deciding factor. Which
major airline was it that filed bankruptcy last year? They obviously
did not 'make a profit', and their corporate tax return will plainly
indicate this to be the case. Maybe you are saying 'well, they
intended to make a profit', and that is true. But tell me, if you
thought you could survive financially from your BBS by charging user
fees, wouldn't you like to give it a try also?  :)      PAT]