Federal tax policies irrelevant?

bitkahuna · 02-11-07, 08:51 AM

I've come to the conclusion all the endless bickering about raising or lowering taxes in Washington is basically irrelevant. Why? Because whatever is done at the Federal level is being MORE than offset by state and local tax rules and other fees.

In my time in the U.S. (24 yrs) I've seen sales taxes, property taxes, 'usage' taxes, registration and license fees, all skyrocket in their number and size.

Sales tax used to be 'only' levied by state government, now it's counties and cities in on the game too.

Property taxes are a county thing, but states, counties, and cities often go beyond just real estate, taxing 'personal assets' (including CDs, stocks, cars, etc.) every year. So it's no longer only that your income gets taxed, it's what you HAVE, getting taxed OVER and OVER and OVER.

Registration and license fees seem to never end. From business licenses (state, county, and city), to dog licenses, to car registration, the latter now based in some cases on the value of the vehicle, it seems to never end.

Then we have payments to be made to 'do' something. Permits, inspections, and 'impact fees'.

Finally we have garbage like the taxes on internet service, phone lines, cable tv, and on.

It is DISGUSTING and we should be MAD AS HELL about it.

So I submit the debate in Washington about Federal income tax rates, capital gains, etc., is irrelevant, because whatever they do, that giant sucking sound coming from the state/county/city where you are is getting louder and louder.

1SICKLEX · 02-11-07, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitkahuna

I've come to the conclusion all the endless bickering about raising or lowering taxes in Washington is basically irrelevant. Why? Because whatever is done at the Federal level is being MORE than offset by state and local tax rules and other fees.

In my time in the U.S. (24 yrs) I've seen sales taxes, property taxes, 'usage' taxes, registration and license fees, all skyrocket in their number and size.

Sales tax used to be 'only' levied by state government, now it's counties and cities in on the game too.

Property taxes are a county thing, but states, counties, and cities often go beyond just real estate, taxing 'personal assets' (including CDs, stocks, cars, etc.) every year. So it's no longer only that your income gets taxed, it's what you HAVE, getting taxed OVER and OVER and OVER.

Registration and license fees seem to never end. From business licenses (state, county, and city), to dog licenses, to car registration, the latter now based in some cases on the value of the vehicle, it seems to never end.

Then we have payments to be made to 'do' something. Permits, inspections, and 'impact fees'.

Finally we have garbage like the taxes on internet service, phone lines, cable tv, and on.

It is DISGUSTING and we should be MAD AS HELL about it.

So I submit the debate in Washington about Federal income tax rates, capital gains, etc., is irrelevant, because whatever they do, that giant sucking sound coming from the state/county/city where you are is getting louder and louder.

I agree. The got damn country was founded on no taxation without representation. THE COUNTRY declared INDEPENDANCE b/c of the way Britain was trying to **** over the colonists.

Fast forward to 2007 and now our own government is screwing us. I mean we get taxed on EVERYTHING. Why in the FLAMING HELL do I get taxed on my income AND in everything I buy???????

What the hell does the government do with the money. I thought it was to build schools, roads, etc.

The got damn city/local government than asks for a penny tax raise seemingly every year to BUILD these same things.

WTF????

Why the HELL is there a 911 surcharge on my cell phone????WTF are my taxes actually paying for.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

cpone · 02-11-07, 10:00 AM

LOL...
Wait for the latest tax that will kick in.
Global Warming Tax. Wait and see.

DASHOCKER · 02-11-07, 04:15 PM

This is fitting for you righties

http://www.toppun.com/ProductImages/...lthy_small.jpg

mmarshall · 02-11-07, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASHOCKER

This is fitting for you righties

http://www.toppun.com/ProductImages/...lthy_small.jpg

Have you actually READ the Gospels, before you bring the name of Jesus into this? And are you aware of what he actually SAID about taxes, at least of what was recorded in those Gospels?

Both Jesus AND John the Baptist warned tax collectors to be honest and not to collect more than they were entitled to under the laws of the time. In fact, Matthew, one of the Twelve Apostles, and who wrote one of the four Gospels himself under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was a tax collector himself for the Romans before he met Jesus and was converted. He, of all people, knew how corrupt the system could be in that ancient world.

Later on, in response to a question from the Pharisees that was designed to trap him, Jesus did say to "Pay to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's", but he was referring to the issue of Jews paying taxes to the Roman Emperor, not actual collection amounts.

And, still later on, when the issue of another tax came up, Jesus performed one of His many miracles by creating coins out of nothing to cover taxes that he and His disciples owed.

1SICKLEX · 02-11-07, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASHOCKER

This is fitting for you righties

http://www.toppun.com/ProductImages/...lthy_small.jpg

Dude, this has nothing to do with being rich or poor. Did you read what bit said?

mmarshall · 02-11-07, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

Dude, this has nothing to do with being rich or poor. Did you read what bit said?

EXACTLY. Thanks, 1SICK.

Bit was referring to the growing load of state and local taxes that, in many ways, just adds to the Federal tax burden. Heck, one look at your phone bill every month will show that......what you actually PAY every month, on average, is about 50% more than the actual phone company charge itself.....most of that extra money is taxes at all levels.

DASHOCKER · 02-11-07, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

Dude, this has nothing to do with being rich or poor. Did you read what bit said?

"Dude" I read it clearly thanks.

Sound like someone is upset about taxes

Quote:

It is DISGUSTING and we should be MAD AS HELL about it.

So I submit the debate in Washington about Federal income tax rates, capital gains, etc., is irrelevant, because whatever they do, that giant sucking sound coming from the state/county/city where you are is getting louder and louder.

Well, I wonder if the "rich" would be as exasperated as your partner Bit? The top 5% in this country (Ceo's, Bucky Bush & the Enrons) don't feel the tax pinch as much. They are not complaining. You know why?? Because they will get most of their money back at the end of the year, and use that monet to fuel the right-wing machine including the leader of the misled & confused GW Bush. Where does this leave the common folk?? See post #1.

GKLCPA · 02-11-07, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitkahuna

I've come to the conclusion all the endless bickering about raising or lowering taxes in Washington is basically irrelevant. Why? Because whatever is done at the Federal level is being MORE than offset by state and local tax rules and other fees.

In my time in the U.S. (24 yrs) I've seen sales taxes, property taxes, 'usage' taxes, registration and license fees, all skyrocket in their number and size.

Sales tax used to be 'only' levied by state government, now it's counties and cities in on the game too.

Property taxes are a county thing, but states, counties, and cities often go beyond just real estate, taxing 'personal assets' (including CDs, stocks, cars, etc.) every year. So it's no longer only that your income gets taxed, it's what you HAVE, getting taxed OVER and OVER and OVER.

Registration and license fees seem to never end. From business licenses (state, county, and city), to dog licenses, to car registration, the latter now based in some cases on the value of the vehicle, it seems to never end.

Then we have payments to be made to 'do' something. Permits, inspections, and 'impact fees'.

Finally we have garbage like the taxes on internet service, phone lines, cable tv, and on.

It is DISGUSTING and we should be MAD AS HELL about it.

So I submit the debate in Washington about Federal income tax rates, capital gains, etc., is irrelevant, because whatever they do, that giant sucking sound coming from the state/county/city where you are is getting louder and louder.

This is quite true. The sucking sound also comes out of Washington by sleight of hand through consumption taxes and limits on deductions. Do you realize that anywhere from $ 0.30 to $ 0.60 of a gallon of gas represents federal/state exise taxes depending in the state you live in?

I'm an advocate of a consumption based tax like a national sales tax and scrapping the income tax/exise tax systems. I think that you could get at the underground economy that's not currently being taxed as well as have a fairer and less complicated system to administer. The byzantine rules that currently govern income tax adminstration add a level of costs beyond the taxes when one thinks about the layer of attorneys and CPA's involved in helping folks navigate the system.

bitkahuna · 02-11-07, 07:07 PM

And a typical sales tax of say 6% on a $30K car is now $1800.

Or DASHOCKER, in NY, isn't it 8%? Or $2400.

bitkahuna · 02-11-07, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GKLCPA

I'm an advocate of a consumption based tax like a national sales tax and scrapping the income tax/exise tax systems. I think that you could get at the underground economy that's not currently being taxed as well as have a fairer and less complicated system to administer. The byzantine rules that currently govern income tax adminstration add a level of costs beyond the taxes when one thinks about the layer of attorneys and CPA's involved in helping folks navigate the system.

Great post by the way.

I think that would be great, but unless states go to a similar tax system then the problem won't go away. But your point about the staggering costs associated with tax planning, accountants and attorneys is such a waste.

RacerLex · 02-11-07, 08:02 PM

The local governments have to fend for themselves because nothing's left after Washington has spent all it's funds on making our country safer.

DASHOCKER · 02-12-07, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitkahuna

And a typical sales tax of say 6% on a $30K car is now $1800.

Or DASHOCKER, in NY, isn't it 8%? Or $2400.

This is no lie. NYC property taxes are unbelievable, but I must say those that live in Long Island, NY pay even higher property taxes than those in NYC. New vehicle tax....Forget about it... This X3 of mine eclipsed 50k because of tax

I am now going to throw my hat into the Anna Nicole paternity mix. I am the father.

cpone · 02-12-07, 07:16 AM

I hope shocker realizes that by the government standards YOU are rich.
A lawyer owning 3 vehicles, living in NYC wi most likely making mid 6 figures putting YOU into the RICH category.

DASHOCKER · 02-12-07, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpone

I hope shocker realizes that by the government standards YOU are rich.
A lawyer owning 3 vehicles, living in NYC wi most likely making mid 6 figures putting YOU into the RICH category.

I am broke as a joke. I would be partying with Paris Hilton out in the Hamptons if I was "rich"..Me & Paris would be making tapes

NYC's cost of living is extremely high, compared to other states. Salaries here actually offset the costs. Most New Yorkers would be living like kings (with their NY salaries) if they moved to... lets say Alabama.