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[MThanded]

They may never be confused with "Swan Lake," but an upstate New York strip club says its nude lap dances are every bit as much an art form and should be exempt from state taxes.

So far, the state tax department and an appeals court disagree and want the Nite Moves club in Albany to pay up $124,000 it says it owes taxes.

New York's highest court gets a shot at the arguments Wednesday when the two sides face off at the Court of Appeals.

Tax officials say sales taxes were paid on the club's non-alcoholic drinks, but are also owed on admission and so-called "couch sales," where patrons pay for private or lap dances.

Nite Moves claims the dances are exempt under state tax law as "live dramatic or musical arts performances." The exemption also applies to theater or ballet. The club is relying on testimony from a cultural anthropologist who has studied exotic dance and visited Nite Moves.

W. Andrew McCullough, an attorney for Nite Moves, said the impact of the eventual court ruling probably won't be widespread because most establishments featuring exotic dancers sell alcohol where other tax rules apply.

An administrative law judge previously agreed with Nite Moves, saying that "the fact that the dancers remove all or part of their costume ... simply does not render such dance routines as something less than choreographed performances."

But the state Tax Appeals Tribunal said the club didn't present sufficient proof that it qualifies for the exemption, and a mid-level court upheld the tribunal ruling last year.
"In our view, there can be no serious question that — at a bare minimum — petitioner failed to meet its burden of establishing that the private dances offered at its club were choreographed performances," the Appellate Division court ruled. The four justices also found "no merit" to the club's constitutional claims.

The appellate court also noted that the club dancers are not required to have any formal dance training and that the anthropologist didn't see any of the dances done in private rooms.

Cary Zeitner, a spokesman for the state Department of Taxation and Finance, said the agency is not aware of any other cases in state court similar to the Nite Moves case.
The court typically takes about a month to issue a decision.

http://bottomline.nbcnews.com/_news...ance-is-tax-exempt-art-strip-club-argues?lite

 

[The_Inquisitor]

Do people seriously think they can get away with this shit?

 

[Az]

Then so is fapping...

 

[Xanathus]

Then so is fapping...

If you saw me fapping you'd wipe a single teardrop off your face while nodding and saying "This... this is art."

 

[Davidion]

Then so is fapping...

Do you really want to go there? There WILL be pictures and videos posted.

 

[Team Filler]

Do people seriously think they can get away with this shit?

If religious organizations can be tax exempt while pushing filth onto children, then I'm okay with strip club dancing being exempt too. At least the strip club is more honest about what it offers.

 

[maquiladora]

The club is relying on testimony from a cultural anthropologist who has studied exotic dance and visited Nite Moves.

 

[Dark Octave]

Then so is fapping...

Who's paying you for that?

If religious organizations can be tax exempt for pushing filth onto children, then I'm okay with strip club dancing being exempt too. At least the strip club is more honest about what it offers.

Damn!

And I agree.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

I imagine trying to audit a stripper would be a pain in the ass with the amount of income being cash.

Who's paying you for that?

I am applying for a grant.

If religious organizations can be tax exempt while pushing filth onto children, then I'm okay with strip club dancing being exempt too. At least the strip club is more honest about what it offers.

Strippers are honest? HA!

 

[ajf009]

Hell yeah it's an art. are you kidding? That shit is tough to master

 

[scy]

Where's those amazing pole dancing gifs.

 

[krae_man]

Who's paying you for that?

Sperm bank?

 

[kehs]

Since when do services rendered get taxed?

 

[NaturalHigh]

If religious organizations can be tax exempt while pushing filth onto children, then I'm okay with strip club dancing being exempt too. At least the strip club is more honest about what it offers.

I read this as "pushing filth onto chicken" and I thought you were mad at someone for making a shitty chicken sandwich or something. I was very eager to here how it related to lap dances though.

 

[Team Filler]

I imagine trying to audit a stripper would be a pain in the ass with the amount of income being cash.



I am applying for a grant.



Strippers are honest? HA!

Heh, I mainly meant that a strip club offers nude girls/guys giving the audience a show, and delivers on that promise. I would never trust a stripper with my wallet or car keys, no.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Heh, I mainly meant that a strip club offers nude girls/guys giving the audience a show, and delivers on that promise. I would never trust a stripper with my wallet or car keys, no.

Really, I just wanted to post Chris Rock's sage advice: No Sex (in the Champagne Room)

 

[Dark Octave]

Sperm bank?

Yeah, I guess so huh...

Damn, Uncle sam taxes your fap? Can we have anything?

I'm surprised you give blood and the mufukka doesn't want a gulp of your orange juice and a bite of your cookie.

But if it was holy blood...maybe I can get two cookies all to myself...hmmm...

 

[Team Filler]

Really, I just wanted to post Chris Rock's sage advice: No Sex (in the Champagne Room)

Oh man, that video brings me back. "Why spend 20 years in jail because somebody smudged your puma."

 

[Ezalc]

If religious organizations can be tax exempt while pushing filth onto children, then I'm okay with strip club dancing being exempt too. At least the strip club is more honest about what it offers.

Oh ffs. I thought GAF had stopped with this shit.