Not a sport
#1
Posted 2015-October-15, 03:51
Psyche (pron. sahy-kee): The human soul, spirit or mind (derived, personification thereof, beloved of Eros, Greek myth).
Masterminding (pron. mstr-mnding) tr. v. - Any bid made by bridge player with which partner disagrees.
"Gentlemen, when the barrage lifts." 9th battalion, King's own Yorkshire light infantry,
2000 years earlier: "morituri te salutant"
"I will be with you, whatever". Blair to Bush, precursor to invasion of Iraq
#2
Posted 2015-October-15, 03:57
Rik
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the new discoveries, is not Eureka! (I found it!), but Thats funny Isaac Asimov
The only reason God did not put "Thou shalt mind thine own business" in the Ten Commandments was that He thought that it was too obvious to need stating. - Kenberg
#3
Posted 2015-October-15, 03:58
#4
Posted 2015-October-15, 06:07
Vampyr, on 2015-October-15, 03:58, said:
Possibly, possibly not.
It is in one sense very hard, because they have already tried once and failed, and each appeal to a higher court adds to the difficulty as a borderline decision would tend to align with the lower court's findings.
But the VAT treatment in other EU countries is (or should be) a compelling argument in the VAT treatment in the UK, which point may not have had any relevance to the case just heard.
Psyche (pron. sahy-kee): The human soul, spirit or mind (derived, personification thereof, beloved of Eros, Greek myth).
Masterminding (pron. mstr-mnding) tr. v. - Any bid made by bridge player with which partner disagrees.
"Gentlemen, when the barrage lifts." 9th battalion, King's own Yorkshire light infantry,
2000 years earlier: "morituri te salutant"
"I will be with you, whatever". Blair to Bush, precursor to invasion of Iraq
#5
Posted 2015-October-15, 06:22
However, that by itself, does not render it unworthy of special treatment such as tax exemptions. I don't know much about British tax law. But I see no reason that bridge should not qualify for an exemption that physical sports get - even though it is not a sport.
-gwnn
#6
Posted 2015-October-15, 08:08
Quote from BBC report
"The issue he had considered was whether Sport England officials had "erred in law" when refusing to classify bridge as a sport, the judge said - not the "broad, somewhat philosophical question" as to whether or not bridge is a sport."
Sport England continue to maintain that their job is to promote physical well-being. Pretty sad I think.
Mike
#7
Posted 2015-October-15, 08:09
billw55, on 2015-October-15, 06:22, said:
However, that by itself, does not render it unworthy of special treatment such as tax exemptions. I don't know much about British tax law. But I see no reason that bridge should not qualify for an exemption that physical sports get - even though it is not a sport.
Sport England (the administrative body for sports funding) had let a few soft ones through such as darts and snooker, so probably felt they needed to draw a line in the sand. Otherwise you'll end up with dungeons and dragons players asking for VAT relief.
It's a shame the game is being held up to (mild) ridicule in the UK with this decision, as obv no one thinks bridge is a sport. But it is clearly (IMHO) deserving of the financial support that sports get in the shape of tax relief etc., so maybe a way forward can be found for mind sports to be given separate treatment.
#8
Posted 2015-October-15, 08:29
-gwnn
#9
Posted 2015-October-15, 08:30
Trinidad, on 2015-October-15, 03:57, said:
Rik
Charles De Gaulle was right ;-)
wyman, on 2012-May-04, 09:48, said:
rbforster, on 2012-May-20, 21:04, said:
My YouTube Channel
#10
Posted 2015-October-15, 08:57
el mister, on 2015-October-15, 08:09, said:
Sport England has nothing to do with VAT relief.
#11
Posted 2015-October-15, 08:59
#12
Posted 2015-October-15, 10:14
paulg, on 2015-October-15, 08:59, said:
Aha, ok. So a $10 entry becomes a $12 entry, with the government collecting the extra $2. And this applies to club games I suppose? Or just tournaments?
I agree it seems a nuisance.
-gwnn
#13
Posted 2015-October-15, 10:24
billw55, on 2015-October-15, 10:14, said:
I agree it seems a nuisance.
It does not apply to smaller club games since there is an annual turnover threshold below which the selling organisation (ie the club) does not need to account for VAT. But it certainly applies to national tournaments.
#14
Posted 2015-October-15, 11:49
billw55, on 2015-October-15, 10:14, said:
I agree it seems a nuisance.
It's not just a nuisance - 20% to the government on all goods and services is daylight robbery.
#15
Posted 2015-October-15, 12:18
Vampyr, on 2015-October-15, 11:49, said:
I suppose one could see it that way. But things must be paid for. Is your government running a surplus? If not, which services/spending would you cut in order to reduce the VAT? Or would you raise some other tax to compensate? Perhaps increase borrowing? Just wondering.
-gwnn
#16
Posted 2015-October-15, 12:24
#17
Posted 2015-October-15, 12:49
billw55, on 2015-October-15, 06:22, said:
However, that by itself, does not render it unworthy of special treatment such as tax exemptions. I don't know much about British tax law. But I see no reason that bridge should not qualify for an exemption that physical sports get - even though it is not a sport.
Sums up my thoughts exactly.
#18
Posted 2015-October-15, 16:22
billw55, on 2015-October-15, 12:18, said:
I would be less generous with welfare. You can stay on the dole forever if you choose not to work, and receive housing benefit on top of that.
I'm not saying that you get loads of money, but it is enough to live on, and a lot of people choose this life.
#19
Posted 2015-October-15, 16:25
Vampyr, on 2015-October-15, 16:22, said:
I'm not saying that you get loads of money, but it is enough to live on, and a lot of people choose this life.
Since we don't have systemic full employment, people do not, in general, choose this life.
#20
Posted 2015-October-15, 16:36
StevenG, on 2015-October-15, 16:25, said:
Some do not choose it, but many do.