Tax credits for exercise?

LauraMax

LauraMax

Cathlete
I saw this story on CNN this a.m.--I'm searching their site & for some reason it hasn't made it there. Maybe tomorrow. :confused:

Anyway, they interviewed the editor of Men's Health mag (at least I think it was--I googled him too & the guy I came up w/didn't look at all like the guy I saw this morning. Not only 20 years younger, but also a different color). This guy is proposing a national health program that will provide tax credits to individuals who regularly go to a health club, and/or tax credits to private companies that provide a health & wellness program for employees. I think that's it in a nutshell--I'm sure there are other aspects to his program, but I didn't catch everything & if someone else saw it please fill in the blanks.

I find this interesting since in the great state of NJ, our delightful governor imposed a TAX on health club memberships to make up for the huge deficit in our state's mismanaged budget. Which makes so much sense--really, people who'll save millions of taxpayers $$$ in health care costs should be punished for that, shouldn't they? :rolleyes: (the next gubernatorial election might well be the first time I ever vote Republican! :eek:). So how would a tax credit work against a flippin tax? :mad:

Oh, & he also said he wanted Pres Obama to appoint a health & fitness czar (strange title, no?). I nominate Cathe! ;)
 
LauraMax said:
color). This guy is proposing a national health program that will provide tax credits to individuals who regularly go to a health club, and/or tax credits to private companies that provide a health & wellness program for employees.
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Good idea but what about home exercisers? How would we prove we're working out regularly?


[/quote] I find this interesting since in the great state of NJ, our delightful governor imposed a TAX on health club memberships to make up for the huge deficit in our state's mismanaged budget. [/quote]

:rolleyes::confused: Unbelievable but I believe it unfortunatly. Oh And I second the nomination to apoint Cathe our nations official Health and Fitness Czar.
 
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Sorry Tami, I don't think there's anything in the program for home exercisers. Probably won't be either b/c it'd be too easy to cheat.
 
ITA, the home exercises don't get the benefit of this which stinks, maybe we can send in pics of our home gyms for proof ;). My healthcare will refund $100 every 6 months for a gym membership (just found this out), you have to go 50 times, mark the dates, then have the club sign. I started going to a kickbox class, so I'm going to try to use it for that.

I didn't know they imposed a tax on clubs in NJ, that's ridiculous!!!
 
Of course it is Tami! You don't think I'd misspell a government-related word do you? ;)

Yeah see the signing thing is the issue. Who's gonna sign your home gym card? :p
 
LauraMax said:
Of course it is Tami! You don't think I'd misspell a government-related word do you? ;)

Yeah see the signing thing is the issue. Who's gonna sign your home gym card? :p
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Sorry Laura, I should have known you were right! ;) That obviously does cover most goverment officials after all!
 
I really like the idea. Those of us who exercise at home and purchase related equipment could provide receipts.

(Man, could I provide the receipts!) :rolleyes: :D
 
<said both tongue-in-cheek and whistfully> Here is a fun idea. If you are a home exerciser you buy the "official B. Obama seal of approval" heart rate monitor. Heart rate monitor is able to download records to the tax credit site to "prove" you were working. :p</end sarcasm>

Another vote for Cathe as Czarina!
 
OK I know you're being facetious dragonfly, but that's actually not a bad idea! Or something of the like--you know, maybe some 'puter program that'd track your w/os?

That's if it actually happens. Seems Obama would be the pres to do it since he's an avid exerciser himself, but you know, any tax credit or cut has to be made up someplace else, so it probably won't fly anyway. Esp. given those who'd have to vote for it are a bunch of political fat cats, literally! :(:p;)
 
..Well I don't why we couldn't just send in photos of out home gyms.. that's all you have to do for an exemption on home offices and whatnot..

..besides.. you could have a gym membership just the same and not go, so what's the difference?

..maybe we could even keep the recipts for the vegetable we Catheites spend thousands on every year and get something for that hmm? ..ooh that would be nice ;)
 
pebblesus said:
..Well I don't why we couldn't just send in photos of out home gyms.. that's all you have to do for an exemption on home offices and whatnot..

..besides.. you could have a gym membership just the same and not go, so what's the difference?

..maybe we could even keep the recipts for the vegetable we Catheites spend thousands on every year and get something for that hmm? ..ooh that would be nice ;)
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The difference is that with any exercise incentive program you have little cards or forms that gym staff have to initial each time you go. At home you really wouldn't have an objective party to do that for you.
 
LOL! I'm guessing the 18 YO intern wouldn't know WTH I was talking about. That said, perhaps a call to my senator is in order, I do know some of his staffers.........hmmmmmmmmmm.......and my senators are Cathe's senators.....hmmmmmmmmm again.........:cool:
 
That would be awesome. I also would love to see insurance companies partner with workout dvds and company for a percentage off off workout dvds/equipment as well as insurance costs. That will WORK for me for sure!
 
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