The California Assembly, apparently facing an $8 billion deficit, has introduced a bill that would apply sales taxes to "media downloads," namely the music sales going through iTunes (which, as we've reported, is challenging even retailer giant Walmart for music sales numbers). But it seems as though (since new taxes require a 2/3 majority in California) they're going about it in a pretty weird way.Basically, to duck the majority rule, they're instead trying to have "digital property" count like normal, taxable property. That way, all they're doing is changing a definition, not actually adding a new tax. Even then, they've got another hurdle to jump -- the California Assembly, of course, can only tax things bought in California, unless they charge a "use" tax, which is for people things buy elsewhere but only use in California. Which no one ever pays anyway. Yeah, it's weird.
Eventually, they'll probably pull something off -- Apple already charges sales tax in quite a few states, so it's not surprising that California, Apple's home base, would try as well. It seems like politics is making the process a little bumpier than elsewhere, though.
[Via Macdailynews]
Here's one for our readers in North America. As of this writing, you've got six days to pay your dues to Uncle Sam. You know how the saying goes, "There only two things you must do in this life: Die and pay your taxes." Since there's no avoiding it (unless you think prison sounds like fun), then you might as well make the process somewhat pleasant by using your Mac.
The state of New Jersey is suffering from a slight $4.5 billion debt problem. 
Two things are certain in life: death and taxes, however, if you are going to be doing your taxes on your Mac it is
almost certain that you will be using TurboTax Deluxe 2005. It is the only game in town (well, the only Mac desktop
application) but luckily Macworld 
