Bartering services crop up amid tight access to cash

Christopher Fuentes, a self-described "computer geek" from Massapequa Park, first got the idea to barter his computer know-how when the stock market crashed in the fall and newly unemployed friends were asking him for lessons.

[Spitzer]

Wonder what else is being bartered behind the scenes.......

[Rich]

All you guys just set yourself up for an IRS audit. Bartering is legal and you are required to claim the income on your tax returns. All branches of government need money, they'll be coming to visit you soon. Oh yeah, don't forget to collect and pay the NYS sales tax, because they'll be coming to visit your soon.

[marco]

i love to barter using www.favorpals.com .

[barterqueen]

You can barter any service, goods and even real estate. I strongly recommend www.barterquest.com

[Pat from babylon]

Are there are IRS tax implications here?

[John]

Of course the IRS will audit you, making it just like the many other things the government gets involved in: unpopular. Oh well, I guess one can expect a new 'Barter Permit Application' that all will have to fill out and submit in order to legally exchange a cup of sugar for a cup of flour, etc.

[b894j8n4ny]

That's the idea! Now we all can work for food! This is how we can make America great and competitive again in this global economy. Just think that no one can beat us in wages when we're bartering our work for food.

This will end all the outsourcing and insourcing of all our jobs. This should also help to bring the current high unemployment figure down a notch.

[Curt]

Welcome to the new Dark Ages.

[tired of it]

When will Uncle Sam figure a way to close the Tax Free loophole of Bartering?
They need their cut, we all know that

[Southbound]

Between bartering and dealing in cash, more-and-more Americans will learn how to keep as much of their money as possible. This is the what the government needs to expect as they unfairly tax the working to support the shiftless. People are willing to pay their fair share, but with bailouts for the rich and handouts to the poor, the entire program is unfair and getting worse every day.

[billp]

I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today!

[do it]

"First, this guy with a pickup truck said,'I really can't afford it, I just lost my job, but I want to get the rims painted. Will you accept a laptop?' and I said,'OK,' " said Kolenovic,

let me get this straight...a guy who lost his job is trading in his laptop to paint the rims on his crap truck? you have got to be kidding me....unless hes too poor to pay for internet, a laptop is probably the most valuable tool for finding a job. i guess he's happy driving around in a truck with "pink" rims...that will be repossessed in 2 weeks...what a loser

[kev]

Sweet, I'd like to trade my computer skills for an assault weapon or two.

[oh boy]

i just dont care

[mook]

I know a guy who owns a limo service in the Hamptons who barters for everything, haircuts, restaurant meals, clothing, maincures and facials, doctor visits, even his rent.

[Amerikoon]

Pat from babylon wrote:

Are there are IRS tax implications here?

Why worry? Let them go F... themselves. What do you think they could do if everyone didn't buy into their game of robbing the public for the corrupt bankers and politicians.

[Yeah well]

mook wrote:

I know a guy who owns a limo service in the Hamptons who barters for everything, haircuts, restaurant meals, clothing, maincures and facials, doctor visits, even his rent.

Add him to the IRS audit list...

[Ed Burke]

Try Bartering for that Full Frontal Lobotomy you need so desperately.

You can barter with the Brain Surgeon, maybe he's got a house plant you can sub for. How much is you becoming a Ficus worth to the Doc ?

Surgery oughta be paid off in two, three hundred years.

[Revolt]

I have a dream............revenuers swinging from the trees and lamp posts across America. Politicians and collaborators alongside them. Let freedom ring.

[treadmill fan]

how about using the treadmill at least once before trading it?