Discussions, summarized

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• Hacker News1Tell HN: Help restore the tax deduction for software dev in the US (Section 174)US tech companies are struggling with a tax code change that requires software development expenses to be amortized over years instead of being immediately deductible. YC and others are leading efforts to reverse this change, urging US taxpayers to sign a letter to lawmakers supporting the reversal.Section 174 explanation:Tax code change requires software engineering salaries to be amortized over 5 years instead of being immediately deductible, making engineers more expensive and potentially forcing companies to pay taxes even when unprofitable.Definition challenges:Debate over what constitutes "software development" under the law, affecting roles from QA engineers to data scientists, with IRS guidance attempting to clarify but leaving many edge cases unclear.Impact on businesses:Small companies and startups particularly affected, facing tax bills on phantom profits while cash-poor. Forces shift toward consulting/work-for-hire vs R&D, advantages VC-funded companies over bootstrapped ones.
• Reddit science1Using scented products indoors changes the chemistry of the air, producing as much air pollution as car exhaust does outside, according to a new study. Researchers say that breathing in these nanosized particles could have serious health implications.Using scented products indoors, such as flame-free candles and wax melts, can create significant indoor air pollution comparable to car exhaust. Research by Purdue University found these products release nanosized particles that can penetrate deep into lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream, posing serious respiratory health risks.Misleading title scope:Discussion about how study only focused on wax melts but title suggests all scented products, with debate about whether findings could logically extend to other scented itemsHealth concerns from chemist:A chemist's perspective against using scented products leads to sharing of personal health impact stories, from COPD to cancer cases, and debate about necessity of artificial scentsAir purification solutions:Discussion of HEPA filters and other air purification methods as solutions, with debate about effectiveness against different types of pollutants like VOCs and nanoparticles
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