DCentric

File this one under “Yet Another Way DC is Better”: in Philadelphia, niche bloggers are being asked to fork over $300 for a “Business Privilege License.”

Are you scratching your head? Me, too.

Even though small-time bloggers aren’t exactly raking in the dough, the city requires privilege licenses for any business engaged in any “activity for profit,” says tax attorney Michael Mandale of Center City law firm Mandale Kaufmann. This applies “whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year,” he adds.

If Philly’s bloggers are feeling persecuted, I would humbly like to offer up DC as a saner alternative. We’re not perfect, but we’re also not targeting hobbyists who sometimes update their Blogspot.