0

NY's high court considers: Is lap dancing a tax-exempt art?

A judge's gavel

To view this content, Javascript must be enabled and Adobe Flash Player must be installed.

Get Adobe Flash player

We wish we were sitting in the courtroom for this one -- New York's highest court today heard arguments from the owners of a New York strip club.

They're arguing they shouldn't have to pay sales taxes on nude lap dances because they're a tax-exempt art, just like a ballet performance or a play. Lap dancing is a "live dramatic or musical arts performance" under New York state tax law, in their view. 

Their expert witness? A cultural anthropologist who studies exotic dance.

Hold onto your seats for that decision.

About the author

Sarah Gardner is a reporter on the Marketplace sustainability desk covering sustainability news spots and features.