Business seeks donations to help pay taxes??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a vegetarian Korean who LOVED eating there (it was extremely pricey though!), I have to say that something about this just doesn't sit right with me. I don't know if it was intentional, but at the very least, seems like gross negligence.

OP here. This is what I mean.

To the PP who wants to support small businesses, I support them by being a customer, not helping them pay their taxes.

[Anonymous]

I wonder how many vendors they have stiffed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a vegetarian Korean who LOVED eating there (it was extremely pricey though!), I have to say that something about this just doesn't sit right with me. I don't know if it was intentional, but at the very least, seems like gross negligence.

OP here. This is what I mean.

To the PP who wants to support small businesses, I support them by being a customer, not helping them pay their taxes.

I'm the PP who asked how is this different than me asking for money to pay my income taxes. I completely agree. I support small business by choosing to buy their products and use their services. This just doesn't' sit well with me.

[Anonymous]

I have deal with businesses like this. By the time the tax man comes, there is not much left. If you give money chances are it will not go to the tax man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many vendors they have stiffed.

I wonder how much the owners have taken in income. Tax is an expense, just like rent. That wording is in very poor taste. It's not like the DC government has it in for this particular shop -- the rules are the rules. If they screwed up, they should borrow on their credit line.

[Anonymous]

If they can't pay their taxes, it's not a viable business. I just don't think a situation like this is deserving of my charity dollars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many vendors they have stiffed.

I wonder how much the owners have taken in income. Tax is an expense, just like rent. That wording is in very poor taste. It's not like the DC government has it in for this particular shop -- the rules are the rules. If they screwed up, they should borrow on their credit line.

I think a lot of people are nitpicking. The owners did not hire a PR firm to write a professional press release. The tone is debatable. Whether you contibute is up to you but there may be a language barrier and to read into the website the thought that they are somehow trying to shift the blame to the government, or to do any more than say "Hey, come help us out" is really a reach.

When you see a sign in a store window that says "Lost our Lease! Going out of business" do you question the morality of shopping there? There's an awful lot of high and mighty people on this forum who seem to split hairs about everything and hold everyone around them to the highest standard possible, reading nuance upon nuance into human behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if Java Green will have to pay taxes on any donations they receive, or if they will be considered tax deductible...

No, they're not a non-profit. Any money given to them is income to them which they'll owe tax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many vendors they have stiffed.

I wonder how much the owners have taken in income. Tax is an expense, just like rent. That wording is in very poor taste. It's not like the DC government has it in for this particular shop -- the rules are the rules. If they screwed up, they should borrow on their credit line.

I think a lot of people are nitpicking. The owners did not hire a PR firm to write a professional press release. The tone is debatable. Whether you contibute is up to you but there may be a language barrier and to read into the website the thought that they are somehow trying to shift the blame to the government, or to do any more than say "Hey, come help us out" is really a reach.

When you see a sign in a store window that says "Lost our Lease! Going out of business" do you question the morality of shopping there? There's an awful lot of high and mighty people on this forum who seem to split hairs about everything and hold everyone around them to the highest standard possible, reading nuance upon nuance into human behavior.

They're not asking people for business, they're asking for $$ to pay taxes. If a small business asked me for money to pay it's lease, I would also refuse. I prefer to give charity to food banks or what not.

[Anonymous]

Seems like a business that's in this much financial trouble probably isn't very profitable, so it's probably not income taxes they owe -- it's sales tax, which is money they took from customers but failed to submit to the government.

Not cool.

[Anonymous]

I love the food at Java Green, although I'm not one of the super-cool vegan-environmental types (just someone who tries to stay away from meat).. And I love that it's fairly unique in a city where Potbelly's gets voted for "best deli sandwich." The tone of the request does suggest they think their tax obligation is unreasonable, but maybe there's a backstory. Either way, I doubt they'll raise enough money like this; maybe they can hold a fundraising event of some kind. It would be a shame if they closed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like a business that's in this much financial trouble probably isn't very profitable, so it's probably not income taxes they owe -- it's sales tax, which is money they took from customers but failed to submit to the government.

Not cool.

More likely, it's payroll tax.