Outside the Beltway

Norweigan Court Rules That Striptease is an Artform

Alex Knapp
8

Comments

A Norwegian appeals court has ruled that strip club owners should be exempt from VAT taxes on the grounds that stripping is an art form.

A Norwegian appeals court has ruled that striptease is an art form and should therefore be exempt from value-added tax (VAT).

The owners of the Diamond Go Go Bar in Oslo had refused to pay VAT of 25% on entry fees as tax authorities demanded.

[…]

Lawyers for the club’s owners argued that striptease dancers were stage artists just like sword-swallowers and comedians and deserved the same status.

“Striptease, in the way it is practised in this case, is a form of dance combined with acting,” the judges ruled, according to AFP news agency.

I can’t argue with that logic. If the United States ever decides to exempt performance events from taxes, let’s hope the courts keep this Norwegian ruling in mind as persuasive authority…

(link via Warren Ellis)

Categories

Tags

,

8 responses to “Norweigan Court Rules That Striptease is an Artform”

  1. Rodney Dill Avatar
    Rodney Dill

    Uffdah

  2. Triumph Avatar
    Triumph

    I can’t argue with that logic. If the United States ever decides to exempt performance events from taxes, let’s hope the courts keep this Norwegian ruling in mind as persuasive authority…

    First of all, as a conisseur of strip clubs, I can tell you that it it certainly a form of “acting.” The dancers are clearly flirtatous, engaging, etc… as part of their act.

    It is a physical performance no different than the ballet.

    Also, the United States already “exempts performance events from taxes.” There is no VAT in the US and the feds don’t tax any performance events.

  3. Alex Knapp Avatar
    Alex Knapp

    Also, the United States already “exempts performance events from taxes.” There is no VAT in the US and the feds don’t tax any performance events.

    There’s no entry fees for strip clubs in the United States, either. I was making a JOKE…….

    sheesh!

  4. Alex Knapp Avatar
    Alex Knapp

    Although, come to think about it, I suppose the feds might be able to exempt goods sold at performance events from sales taxes. Tax free beer at strip clubs would be nice…

  5. Anderson Avatar
    Anderson

    Hm. Wilde said that one should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art. Properly qualified stripteasers hit the mark on both.

  6. Triumph Avatar
    Triumph

    There’s no entry fees for strip clubs in the United States, either. I was making a JOKE…….

    Sorry I didn’t get it! Stripping is a profession I take very seriously!

  7. Alex Knapp Avatar
    Alex Knapp

    Triumph,

    No problem. Just join me in my campaign for tax free beer at strip clubs!

Latest Posts