Work, the IRS, cell phones, and idiocy.
So apparently, the IRS is changing the way they classify our cell phones after the first of the year- they are going to become a "benefit". Which means that if we want to continue to use the phones on our district account, the cost of our annual contract will be added to our salary- and taxes will be levied.
F*** that. Like we don't pay enough taxes already? Gimme a break. So... I'm in the market for a new cell phone and plan. I like my Bold, don't get me wrong, but the lure of the Storm2 and the Droid are strong. AT&T's coverage is teh suckage- we *just* got 3G here, so far it's worse than EDGE, and I don't see them keeping up with the newer 4G technology coming out any time soon, so I'm going to talk to Verizon and see what they can offer. The Droid might be new, but I'm a Google nerd anyway so having a Google-developed OS and apps is really appealing- even if there might not be the wide variety of apps like the iPhone or Blackberry has at the moment, I have a feeling it's going to be taking off, and fast.
What I can't figure out is the reasoning behind the classification. I mean, for those of us in the technology field, who sometimes spend a great deal of time OUTSIDE OUR OFFICE (not to mention the occasional "after hours" emergency), a cell phone isn't a "benefit", it's a necessary tool. Especially since I don't have a land line at home. How else are they going to call me if something goes wrong? I mean, really?
I'm guessing it has something to do with the fact that we're technically a school district, and this classification being directed more toward teachers, and my boss and I getting the short end of the stick, essentially.
Oh well. I guess I'll just have to get my own personal phone and bill back any minutes I use for work to the district. Life goes on.
It's a pain in the @$$, though.
F*** that. Like we don't pay enough taxes already? Gimme a break. So... I'm in the market for a new cell phone and plan. I like my Bold, don't get me wrong, but the lure of the Storm2 and the Droid are strong. AT&T's coverage is teh suckage- we *just* got 3G here, so far it's worse than EDGE, and I don't see them keeping up with the newer 4G technology coming out any time soon, so I'm going to talk to Verizon and see what they can offer. The Droid might be new, but I'm a Google nerd anyway so having a Google-developed OS and apps is really appealing- even if there might not be the wide variety of apps like the iPhone or Blackberry has at the moment, I have a feeling it's going to be taking off, and fast.
What I can't figure out is the reasoning behind the classification. I mean, for those of us in the technology field, who sometimes spend a great deal of time OUTSIDE OUR OFFICE (not to mention the occasional "after hours" emergency), a cell phone isn't a "benefit", it's a necessary tool. Especially since I don't have a land line at home. How else are they going to call me if something goes wrong? I mean, really?
I'm guessing it has something to do with the fact that we're technically a school district, and this classification being directed more toward teachers, and my boss and I getting the short end of the stick, essentially.
Oh well. I guess I'll just have to get my own personal phone and bill back any minutes I use for work to the district. Life goes on.
It's a pain in the @$$, though.