This is gonna turn political any second.
I'm not sure how to fit my opinion into the poll so... here it is.
Taxes are necessary to pay for stuff like roads, schools, police, fire departments, and so on... and the bulk of those sorts of things get paid for through state income tax, property tax, and sales tax all of which are fairly reasonable(at least where I've lived, YMMV).
Now some of those things are funded in part... in part mind you.. by federal income tax. However the largest tax most of us pay is the federal income tax and at least half of the stuff the federal government spends my money on is stuff I'd rather it didn't. I know some may disagree with this but I think it's fundamentally unfair that anyone should have to pay more than 20% of their income in taxes.... it should be capped off and the government's scope reduced to fit the budget.
God Himself only asks for 10%. How does the federal government justify anyone paying more?
We have allowed discussions like this as long as it doesn't turn into partisan baiting and bashing. We know you would rather we enforce a zero-tolerance rule. This is apparent from your posts in every thread like this, and the posts you report. We are trying to be at least a little flexible, as our feedback in threads about moderation have indicated many users want.It was political from jump street, but 6 minutes later "they" approved it.
Have you been doing it by hand since?On the bright side, I used turbotax this year, the first time in 25 years. It was HORRIBLE back then. This year it was easy-peezy.
Have you been doing it by hand since?
Once again I only paid less than 2%.
That doesn't mean I pocketed that cash, it means I put it to what I consider better use. ie...local charities and my church. I think they can put it to better use than anyone else.
I'm still trying to figure out how all these people with small side businesses claim not to pay taxes by reporting losses. I get raped being a single person with no kids making a good salary.
Your post does not match your poll question. I have no problem paying my fair share. But I currently pay much, much more than that. Just a WAG, but I'm guessing most of the 40% who are happy about taxes are in a different category.I just finished running my numbers this year and thought I'd do something to help cheer me up. So I'm asking how people around here feel about doing their fair share.
I wish I could "Like" this more than once, or perhaps there could be a "super like" button.Mine never manage to be simple. I'm still waiting on several things to be mailed out to me before I can even do my taxes. No matter how carefully I try to organize everything each year there's always something missing that I have to go looking for. It's the most stressful time of the year... and it's not even the money. I have to pay quarterly so it should be all/mostly paid up it's all the #$%&#! paperwork. Then... even with an accountant and not playing any games I pray every time I sign the paperwork and drop it in the mail that it's all right and nothing goes wrong. So far so good.
I don't think folks who just have a W2, maybe some 1099s, and 2 or 3 other random things realize just how much of a paperwork nightmare this can be for some folks in business for themselves.
Your post does not match your poll question. I have no problem paying my fair share. But I currently pay much, much more than that. Just a WAG, but I'm guessing most of the 40% who are happy about taxes are in a different category.
I put that I am happy to pay taxes, but that was in a philosophical sense. I am not happy about the way we pay and what we pay for. I would much prefer a "consumption" tax instead of a "productivity" tax.Your post does not match your poll question. I have no problem paying my fair share. But I currently pay much, much more than that. Just a WAG, but I'm guessing most of the 40% who are happy about taxes are in a different category.
To add to my statement above, it isn't so much the taxing I object to. It is the spending.I put that I am happy to pay taxes, but that was in a philosophical sense. I am not happy about the way we pay and what we pay for. I would much prefer a "consumption" tax instead of a "productivity" tax.
None of the choices fit. But I chose (A) "It's my civic duty and I'm glad to do it" because I do think it is my civic duty. And I am fine with that.
My problem is that my taxes go to fund too much BS. Today I read that the government is funding a study to determine if people can smell their own "Asparagus pee". I would prefer not to pay for that. Perhaps there is some scientific justification for that, but it could be done differently.
I am happy to pay for National Defense. I am happy to pay for interstate highways. I am even happy to pay for some government funded basic research, and a few other things. But I would prefer to pay LOCAL taxes for most of the things I now pay Federal taxes for. I don't like that. And I hope I don't have to pay for California's failure to maintain their dams.
My local taxes amount to $900 a month on my primary residence and $1170 per month on my second home. I know, I know, first world problems. But for my primary residence, it's a 2,400 square foot 4 br home, none too fancy. I'm fortunate in that I can pay it, but many friends are selling and going into apartments. I used to advise people to buy a house, but now that property taxes are approaching rents, I really can't see the point.
Yep, that's why it costs me over $800 to file.I don't think folks who just have a W2, maybe some 1099s, and 2 or 3 other random things realize just how much of a paperwork nightmare this can be for some folks in business for themselves.
Yes, but that money is used for the chiiiiiilllldren.My local taxes amount to $900 a month on my primary residence and $1170 per month on my second home. I know, I know, first world problems. But for my primary residence, it's a 2,400 square foot 4 br home, none too fancy. I'm fortunate in that I can pay it, but many friends are selling and going into apartments. I used to advise people to buy a house, but now that property taxes are approaching rents, I really can't see the point.
LMAO!There will be soon, when they raise the minimum wage!
If the thread continues down the road of the previous few posts, it will be closed.
the creek is beginning to rise....What?? What is wrong with the last couple posts?
I would delete my post, but it's already been quoted.If the thread continues down the road of the previous few posts, it will be closed.
If we are going to discuss a topic like this we need to do it without baiting and snark. Unfortunately, some cannot control their impulse to go down that road.What?? What is wrong with the last couple posts?