Hacker News Reader

I never understood why company's don't just give you the equipment, to keep, forever.

A laptop/monitor/chair/etc is a trivial expense compared to the person's salary and you don't end up with a bunch of random weird ergonomic devices floating around from the ghosts of employees past.

View on HN

"to keep, forever" <-- they would need to include this on your W2, versus the current situation where it is depreciated equipment over 3 years or whatever.

Personally, I woud be fine with that. I think they could even call it a "signing bonus". From what I understand, some signing bonuses are even contingent upon your staying for at least a specified period of time, or you have to pay it back.

You don't understand the tax implications, you'd have to pay income and payroll taxes on the laptop, depending on your marginal rate that could cost you an additional 40% of the cost of the laptop. And the company would pay payroll taxes on it as well. Versus the company buying it as their property and being able to fully deduct it over time.

So people don't ever get signing bonuses either then, right? Gotcha.

ps. Don't assume that people don't understand something just because they don't hold your opinion.

Data protection policies may apply to the hard drive.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com