[Hidden-tech] FW: IT Sales Tax - Response from DOR

[Don Lesser]

I agree that they do not seem to understand the question. The response seems
to say that if you enter a column of numbers in Excel and hit AutoSum, it is
not taxable. If you pay me to hit AutoSum, it is taxable. You can certainly
feel free to call them, but only their written responses will "count" if
there is a question. Still, I'd love to hear what you find out.

Information Resources from DOR:
1.	The DOR website offers a special section dedicated to information on
the recent tax changes at www.mass.gov/dor/newtaxinfo including a letter and
video from the Commissioner. 

2.	The new Technical Information Release provides further guidance on
what is, and what is not, taxable.  

3.	A detailed set of FAQs provides both general and detailed guidance.


4.	Comments on the working draft of the new TIR, and any other comments
or suggestions on the computer software tax, should be submitted to
rulesandregs at dor.state.ma.  

5.	Customer service can be reached at 617-887-6367 or in MA only at
800-392-6089.

Don Lesser
Pioneer Training, Inc.
139B Damon Road, Ste 8
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 387-1040
(413) 586-0545 (fax)
dlesser at ptraining.com
www.ptraining.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Reva Reck [mailto:reva at revareck.com] 
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2013 11:38 AM
To: 'Don Lesser'; 'hidden-discuss'
Subject: RE: [Hidden-tech] FW: IT Sales Tax - Response from DOR

Thanks for providing this info. You raise some important points.

It seems obvious  to me from this response that DOR does not understand your
question. Or maybe I don't. I don't think you are customizing the Office
software in the sense of writing add-ins or changing the code of this
software. You are using it as a tool for creating custom reports and
databases. You cannot do any form of custom software "programming" without
using tools. Whether these are low-level 3rd generation languages like Basic
or C++, or more sophistaicated DB tools like Access, seems irrelevant to me.


However, I think the only way to really clarify this is to have an actual
phone conversation with them rather than emailing back and forth. This will
allow you to explain what you are doing in more detail than is possible in
an email. If you don't plan to do this, I think I will. Please let me know.

Thanks, Reva


Reva Reck
Reva at RevaReck.com

-----Original Message-----
From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Don
Lesser
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2013 4:08 PM
To: 'hidden-discuss'
Subject: [Hidden-tech] FW: IT Sales Tax - Response from DOR

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