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Re: “”
The Concordia neighborhood rocks...and I am totally biased because I the co-chair of the Concordia Neighborhood Association.
The link on this post is to a site we don't update anymore. Here is the address for the CNA:
http://concordiapdx.org
Thanks!
Tony Fuentes
Recent Comments
Re: “Shit My Dad Says = Neutered TV Gold”
Oh my god...is this the first instance of shark-jumping in twitterville? Do I need to unfollow Levar Burton, too? What is the protocol on this?
Re: “Portland's Newest Joint”
Wow. Soup house to sex club to pot cafe.
Were you high when you wrote that business plan? Oh right...
Re: “Sprawl Vs. Open Space”
You can't "make new land" and I think there are many farmers who recognize this and are firmly on the side of preservation of agricultural lands:
http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty…
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index…
Re: “Happenings at the Eagles Lodge”
Did you forget to ask the woman for her name or did she insist on being called "the old lady"? I am hoping for the later.
Re: “Which Do-Gooders Deserve a Giant Pile of $$$?”
How about some local non-profits working on job training and micro-enterprise development?
Here are a few to consider in this vein:
Hacienda - http://www.haciendacdc.org/
Urban Opportunities - http://www.urbanopportunities.net/
MercyCorpsNW - http://www.mercycorpsnw.org/
Re: “Five Steps to Make PDX the Best Bike City in the World (and Destroy Zoobomb in the Process)”
Thanks to Night Moves and whomever for the link to the Bike League info on changes to the fringe benefits classifications to include bike as of this tax year. It was informative and - as is the case with all tax code stuff - a little confusing and at times somewhat contradictory.
The limit of $20 a month is much less than the $1000 benefit ID'd for Danish employers. It is also much less than the limit for parking ($220 per month) and transit use ($115 per month).
It is nice that at least some parity for bikes is now available but it would be nice if such a tax benefit was available in the same capacity as auto use is across the board. For instance...
If you are searching for a job I believe you can write up auto expenses related to that search - how about bike use?
If you are a sole proprietor, can you purchase a bike for business use and write it off in the same manner that a car can be and can on-going expenses also be written off?
If you use your bike for work for an employer (not as a contractor), making deliveries, sales calls, whatever... if you are using a car you can write off these "non reimbursed expenses" based on direct cost or mileage, what about using a bike?
And so on...
Adding on to R, I would also love to see some "outside the box" thinking and guidance on how to make the existing tax structure "work" for small businesses, self-employed folks, job seekers, and so on (state and federal taxes for all of these).
Re: “Five Steps to Make PDX the Best Bike City in the World (and Destroy Zoobomb in the Process)”
Most of this seems like pretty commonsense stuff that we have heard before but it never hurts to hear it again.
However, the employers buying bikes for employee is very interesting.
Do you know if there is any direct tax incentive or other program in Denmark that eases this investment - especially for smaller companies.
Also, has anyone looked into what Oregon and Federal tax codes may support a local business taking on this right now?
For instance, could a bike program like this result in a Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit?
Is this or could this program like this be a central part of Employee Commute Options programs that are mandated for employers with 100 or more employees?
What federal programs, incentives, tax breaks may exist right now for a program like this?
Maybe the Merc should consider finding a tax attorney or well-versed accountant who could create a "how-to" for employers as well as self-employed folks on what bike investments, they can "write-off" right now (no new legislation required) and, perhaps, what tweaks to state and federal programs could be made to expand this access and opportunity.
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