<DIV>I feel that it does work, and am prepared to justify in the case of an audit. Nordstom's department store isn't in the piano business and they own a piano. It's a sure bet that they deduct the cost of depreciation plus the cost of paying the pianist! </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But heck, ilex, if you really want good advice don't ask a bunch of piano technicians, ask a professional tax accountant. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Actually, Randy Potter, RPT is the most knowlegeble person I know on the subject of piano technicians and their taxes. It wouldn't hurt to consult with him. <BR><BR><B><I>ilex cameron ross <i1ex@earthlink.net></I></B> wrote:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1106" name=GENERATOR> <DIV><SPAN class=760524818-23092004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>thanks for everyone's feedback. I should have mentioned that I actually do *not* own a piano yet. other than the one I grew up playing at my mom's house. </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=760524818-23092004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=760524818-23092004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>the thing is, Ryan - I agree fully with you in theory, but does that actually *work*?</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=760524818-23092004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>thanks,</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=760524818-23092004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>ilex</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Ryan Sowers<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, September 23, 2004 12:28 PM<BR><B>To:</B> Pianotech<BR><B>Subject:</B> RE: tax deductions?<BR><BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV> <DIV>In my thinking no piano technician should practice the craft in less they have a piano. Period. Would you trust an auto mechanic that didn't actually own, and drive a car?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Since I see owning a piano as an indispensable part of being a piano technician I have no problem at all deducting the expense. It's a tool like my drill press, ban saw, etc. Of course with expensive purchases you depreciate it over a period of several years. Also deduct the interest if you are making payments (like me!). </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Having a good quality piano increases your credibility and professionalism. Having no or a mediocre piano does the opposite.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>How many times have clients asked you: "What kind of piano do you own?" Definitely a FAQ. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Very frequently I am encouraging people to upgrade their spinet, consoles, and worn-out uprights. How could I do this in good faith if I don't personally value the instrument enough to warrant owning a good quality one. <BR><BR><B><I>David Love <davidlovepianos@comcast.net></I></B> wrote:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">I don't think so, but I'm not an accountant. However, you certainly can<BR>deduct the cost of the piano and the cost of parts you replace when you<BR>sell it and have to report the sale as income.<BR><BR>David Love<BR>davidlovepianos@comcast.net <BR><BR>-----Original Message-----<BR>From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On<BR>Behalf Of ilex cameron ross<BR>Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 7:16 PM<BR>To: Pianotech<BR>Subject: tax deductions?<BR><BR>List -<BR>I apologize if this is a silly question, but I am currently gnawing on<BR>an<BR>opportunity I'd really like to take, except that it would require some<BR>financial finagling. In weighing my pros and cons, a thought came up -<BR>as a<BR>technician, if you purchase a piano that requires work that would help<BR>you<BR>hone your craft, can that purchase at all possibly be written off as a<BR>tax<BR>deduction?<BR>I'm afraid it's going to break my heart if I don't grab this piano, but<BR>it<BR>may break my wallet come April if i DO buy it...<BR><BR>May post again with requests for opinions on said instrument.<BR><BR>thanks,<BR>ilex<BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives<BR><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives<BR></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR><BR>Ryan Sowers, RPT Puget Sound Chapter<BR>Pianova Piano Service<BR>Olympia, WA <P>__________________________________________________<BR>Do You Yahoo!?<BR>Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around <BR>http://mail.yahoo.com </P></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Ryan Sowers, RPT Puget Sound Chapter<br>Pianova Piano Service<br>Olympia, WA<p> <hr size=1>Do you Yahoo!?<br> <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mail_us/taglines/50x/*http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail/static/efficiency.html">Yahoo! Mail</a> - 50x more storage than other providers!