On: Ask HN: Laid off employees, did the company ask yo...

[caseyf7]

Technically you and the employer both owe taxes if you keep it because it is considered compensation. This is why it is usually returned.

[echelon → caseyf7]

Employers play it fast and loose with fringe benefits. It's most often PCI or other compliance reasons that laptops are kept.

My last company gave out TVs, furniture, expensive kitchenware, etc. They warehouse the laptops underground for eternity. They won't even scrap the drives and resell them.

[sys_64738 → caseyf7]

You're not keeping it per se. Merely waiting for them to send the box to return it as it's not your property.