--On Friday, July 05, 2013 07:40 +0100 l.wood@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote: > It strikes me that 'membership fees' as opposed to 'entrance > fees' could work around this payment issue. Or incur a > different tax... But the use of a term like "membership fee" has profound implications for what the IETF claims is our way of doing business. Folks, it is clear that this is both inconvenient and complicated. Would it be possible to just let the IAOC engage in whatever discussions and consultations are needed --i.e., allow them to do their jobs-- without endless amateur [1] speculation on what is going on and what should or could be done about it. Since people are obviously curious and in the interest of openness and transparency, I hope that the IAOC will explain the details and the solutions when they have things under control. But let's let them get them under control first. Just my opinion, of course. john [1] both amateur lawyers and amateur international taxation experts. Anyone who is part of the conversation who is _not_ am amateur should probably volunteer (or market) her or his services offlist to the IAOC or directly to Ray at iad@xxxxxxxx