Am 30.09.2011 03:53, schrieb Nigel Titley:
> Dear all,
>
> I would like to update you about the RIPE NCC Executive Board
> deliberations regarding the draft charging scheme for 2012.
>
> We presented you with two draft schemes, in early summer, to gather
> feedback from you. We did this as we wanted to hear your opinions on
> measures we want to take which are designed to keep the RIPE NCC
> financially stable and capable of serving its members as it should.
>
> You engaged in a lively discussion on this mailing list, and even ran a
> mini-survey. We followed the exchanges closely and as result asked
> RIPE NCC staff to provide the board with another charging scheme option,
> based on a sliding scale scheme that eliminated the membership
> categories we currently use.
>
> During the board meeting of last Friday, 23 September, we discussed the
> merits as well as some of the issues of that model. Obviously a sliding
> scale model as its main benefit does away with the fee jumps of the
> category based model. We were pleased with the model that we developed
> with the NCC staff and felt that it addressed many of the issues raised
> by you, the members.
>
> However, in consultation with our tax lawyers we have had to think
> again. Because it brings a "fee-per-address" flavour to the charging
> model of the RIPE NCC it fundamentally alters the tax scheme under which
> we operate. The current "category" model allows us to argue that we are
> a membership association with different categories  of membership. This
> brings substantial tax advantages.
>
> As you know, for a long time the RIPE NCC tax situation has been
> extremely favourable, as we don't have to pay corporation tax, based on
> an agreement made with the Dutch tax authorities many years ago. We are
> advised that the envisaged change in the charging scheme would lead to a
> re-assessment of that agreement, with the likely outcome that the
> association's surplus would have to be taxed, leading to a significant
> financial liability, with an obvious knock-on effect to the member fees.
>
> In the light of this, the board members have agreed not to expose our
> organisation to that risk, staying with a category based system. We have
> however noted your preference for reduced "fee jumps" between
> categories, and have instructed NCC staff to produce a charging scheme
> model based on 10 categories, doubling the current category number.
> Category divisions will be based on a count of address space held.
>
> This revised Charging Scheme 2012 we will publish, as usual, prior to
> the General Meeting in November, for approval by the members during the
> General Meeting. We can advise you already that we are opening up the
> voting mechanism for all resolutions to include electronic voting, so
> that all members of the association have a good opportunity to take a
> full part in the proceedings.
>
> At this time, I would like to thank you all, on behalf of the RIPE NCC
> Executive Board, for participating in the discussion. I look forward to
> seeing as many of you as possible at the next General Meeting.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Nigel Titley
> Chairman
> RIPE NCC Executive Board
>
>
>
>
>
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