November 21, 2024

The Government is in agreement: No Tax Break For Gamers.

capital buildingThe Senate is believed to be scheduled to vote on a bill this week that will impose a federal tax on all new, used, and digital video game sales.  In the spirit of generating more revenue for social programs the government has decided to put the burden on gamers.  A Democratic Senator had this to say:

“Gaming is a vice.  Video games are no different from cigarettes, or alcohol.  The scourge it puts on the health and well beings of Americans is astonishing.”

The non-partisan bill is also supported by prominent Republicans. One in particular stated:

“This bill not only taxes all video game sales, but also taxes subscription based online games as well.”

Some economists believe that the simple flat tax proposal of $1 per game is well within the budgets of most Americans, and that within two years the Treasury estimates the government will receive more than $3 billion per year in taxes. But the news isn’t glum for everyone. It is believed that the ATF will be rebranded as The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Video Games and with an expanded budget will provide enforcement officers to ensure retailers are compliant to the new video game tax law.

The premature rebranding of the ATFVG website is evidence that the bill will pass with no opposition.