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> The government running liquor stores at no profit is a subsidy. New Hampshire liquor stores contribute over $150MM to community programs a year. [0]. They h

by PyWoody 11mo ago

> The government running liquor stores at no profit is a subsidy. New Hampshire liquor stores contribute over $150MM to community programs a year. [0]. They had an annual profit of $170MM in FY2023. [0] https://www.90yearsofcheers.com/where-the-money-goes/ https://www.90yearsofcheers.com/where-the-money-goes/

lotsofpulp 11mo ago
Then your liquor purchases are not tax free. The government’s “profit” is the tax. It’s just built into the price as opposed to being a line item.
- PyWoody 11mo ago
  That is beyond pedantic. There is no sales tax in New Hampshire. It is tax free.
  - lotsofpulp 11mo ago
    Sorry, I don't agree with that. The context of profit is money which shareholders are entitled to after accounting for the costs of their business. None of those things apply to government. Also, New Hampshire does not have sales tax on certain goods and services. Hotel rooms and car rentals, for example, do have sales tax. And apparently, alcohol sold at the state alcohol stores. https://www.revenue.nh.gov/taxes-glance/meals-rooms-rentals-tax https://www.revenue.nh.gov/taxes-glance/meals-rooms-rentals-...
    - nobody9999 11mo ago
      >Sorry, I don't agree with that. The context of profit is money which shareholders are entitled to after accounting for the costs of their business. None of those things apply to government. I have to disagree. In a very real sense, the residents of a political entity are the stakeholders within that political boundary and, at least in a democratic (small 'd') society, those stakeholders are, in fact, the owner/shareholders of that political entity. That's neither very profound nor much of an intellectual stretch. Although, apparently you disagree. Why is that?
      - lotsofpulp 11mo ago
        > I have to disagree. In a very real sense, the residents of a political entity are the stakeholders within that political boundary and, at least in a democratic (small 'd') society, those stakeholders are, in fact, the owner/shareholders of that political entity. That still doesn’t mean it makes sense to categorize government income as “profit” (for the purposes of this discussion trying to discern whether or not NH taxes alcohol). Governments and businesses have (or are supposed to have) different priorities, and are (theoretically) structured so that in exchange for the government being given a monopoly on violence for those who don’t pay, the government (ideally) is working towards providing services that benefit all of society, for the long term. The New Hampshire government’s website linked above even states: > $146m Annual Contribution To The General Fund What difference does it make if the tax is not separated out like alcohol taxes in most other states? The bottom line is New Hampshire could be selling alcohol for less, but it chooses not to in order to use the extra money to fund government services. That is a tax.
        nobody9999 11mo ago
        >What difference does it make if the tax is not separated out like alcohol taxes in most other states? The bottom line is New Hampshire could be selling alcohol for less, but it chooses not to in order to use the extra money to fund government services. That is a tax. Nope. It's a dividend for the shareholders.

by PyWoody 11mo ago

lotsofpulp 11mo ago

Then your liquor purchases are not tax free. The government’s “profit” is the tax. It’s just built into the price as opposed to being a line item.

PyWoody 11mo ago
That is beyond pedantic. There is no sales tax in New Hampshire. It is tax free.
- lotsofpulp 11mo ago
  Sorry, I don't agree with that. The context of profit is money which shareholders are entitled to after accounting for the costs of their business. None of those things apply to government. Also, New Hampshire does not have sales tax on certain goods and services. Hotel rooms and car rentals, for example, do have sales tax. And apparently, alcohol sold at the state alcohol stores. https://www.revenue.nh.gov/taxes-glance/meals-rooms-rentals-tax https://www.revenue.nh.gov/taxes-glance/meals-rooms-rentals-...
  - nobody9999 11mo ago
    >Sorry, I don't agree with that. The context of profit is money which shareholders are entitled to after accounting for the costs of their business. None of those things apply to government. I have to disagree. In a very real sense, the residents of a political entity are the stakeholders within that political boundary and, at least in a democratic (small 'd') society, those stakeholders are, in fact, the owner/shareholders of that political entity. That's neither very profound nor much of an intellectual stretch. Although, apparently you disagree. Why is that?
    - lotsofpulp 11mo ago
      > I have to disagree. In a very real sense, the residents of a political entity are the stakeholders within that political boundary and, at least in a democratic (small 'd') society, those stakeholders are, in fact, the owner/shareholders of that political entity. That still doesn’t mean it makes sense to categorize government income as “profit” (for the purposes of this discussion trying to discern whether or not NH taxes alcohol). Governments and businesses have (or are supposed to have) different priorities, and are (theoretically) structured so that in exchange for the government being given a monopoly on violence for those who don’t pay, the government (ideally) is working towards providing services that benefit all of society, for the long term. The New Hampshire government’s website linked above even states: > $146m Annual Contribution To The General Fund What difference does it make if the tax is not separated out like alcohol taxes in most other states? The bottom line is New Hampshire could be selling alcohol for less, but it chooses not to in order to use the extra money to fund government services. That is a tax.
      - nobody9999 11mo ago
        >What difference does it make if the tax is not separated out like alcohol taxes in most other states? The bottom line is New Hampshire could be selling alcohol for less, but it chooses not to in order to use the extra money to fund government services. That is a tax. Nope. It's a dividend for the shareholders.