8 comments

  • dataflow 17 minutes ago

    > Play billing "must not be used in cases where payments include … tax exempt donations"

    > Note: 501(c)(6) is a tax-exempt status; donations are not tax-deductible for the donor. Google's communications explicitly state "tax-exempt".

    Isn't it pretty obvious that the problem is the donations aren't tax-exempt, despite the organization being tax-exempt? Your note suggests you already understand this.

    Logically, the payment processor (who deals with sales taxes rather than income taxes) should worry about the taxability of the transaction rather than the tax status of the recipient, right?

    > Specifically, your app allows users to contribute donations to an organization that is not tax-exempt.

    So whoever is writing their email is mixing these two up, but you're reading the policy itself and it is fairly clear-cut what it means for you, right?

  • amiga386 12 minutes ago

    Not Google's first rodeo. They pulled the same move in 2019: https://www.phoronix.com/news/WireGuard-Ejected-Play-Store

    This is why software should not be subjected to an "app store" type distribution system, where a monopolist retains absolute control of what software can run on your devices, and can capriciously deny distribution to developers for whatever reason it likes.

      brainwad 7 minutes ago

      You can install from other stores (AnkiDroid is on F-Droid, for example), or from direct file download on Android already. The problem is rather thay most users just use the store preinstalled on their phone as part of Google's deal with OEMs to bundle Google Play Services. So either you follow Google's rules, or you lose all the users who don't want to leave the walled garden, even though they can.

        Flimm 2 minutes ago

        Google is making it increasingly difficult to freely install software from app stores that they don't control and tax. Quoting https://keepandroidopen.org :

        > Starting in 2027*, a silent update, nonconsensually pushed by Google, will block every Android app whose developer hasn't registered with Google, signed their contract, paid up, and handed over government ID.

        > Every app and every device, worldwide, with no opt-out.

        amiga386 6 minutes ago

        Yeah, not for much longer though: https://keepandroidopen.org/

  • free652 14 minutes ago

    >clarification on whether an IRS 501(c)(6) determination satisfies "tax exempt donations".

    These donations aren't tax exempt. 501(c)(3) are tax exempt. If users are paying via Google pay these payments must be tax exempt to the *user*.

  • maelito 5 minutes ago

    If only PWA were not made invisible by Apple. The install button has been moved voluntarily to the share menu.

    The UE should make it mandatory to permit PWA install popups on all platforms.

    Such problems wouldn't arise, because this app could be installable as a cached Web app. A native mobile application could be installed only for specific functionalities.

  • Klaster_1 27 minutes ago

    AnkiDroid has been such a great boon for me, thank you for sharing the link and reminding that they would benefit from my donation.