ST Alpha - "Seen earlier on Glann Beck (I was channel surfing only) that 28% of the population paid zero fed taxes in 1950 and now it's 50%. They quoted the IRS. -- nm" (Reading a Post)

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Seen earlier on Glann Beck (I was channel surfing only) that 28% of the population paid zero fed taxes in 1950 and now it's 50%. They quoted the IRS. -- nm

Posted by CrankYanker Apr 13 '10, 16:40

(No message)

Responses:

We should raise taxes. -- nm - Qale Apr 13, 17:36
There are a LOT more social security numbers now because kids going to school have to have one, something that didn't exist in the 50's and that right - zeitgeist Apr 13, 17:09 1
- Plus, it's not just kids going to school. It's all kids (assuming their parents want to claim them as a deduction). nm - ralph wiggum Apr 13, 17:12
That tells me that far too many people aren't earning enough. -- nm - Reagen Apr 13, 16:52 6
- Exactly. I planned my withholding assuming I'd be working a full year. When that didn't happen I got back everything except $70. - MojaveMeg Apr 13, 17:10
- [deleted]
- this would be true if it was Canada, but I think the US handles it differently. I could be wrong, though. You might know more than I do about it. -- nm - Beryllium Apr 13, 16:54 3
  - The US Real Wage has declined dramatically since the 1970s. -- nm - Reagen Apr 13, 16:56 2
    - the more you pay for your house in the US, the more you can deduct, thus, you won't have to pay as much tax ... -- nm - Beryllium Apr 13, 17:03 1
      - See those trees? It's a forest. -- nm - Reagen Apr 13, 17:22
The con in this one is that there is a big difference between "federal taxes" and total taxes paid - stewie Apr 13, 16:46
The article from last weeks sources the independent Tax Policy Center as the source of the 47% number - ty97 Apr 13, 16:46 50
- Tax simplification is supported by all sectors of the political spectrum; I'm surprised it never gets anywhere. -- nm - mara Apr 13, 16:48 49
  - Tax simplification has two major barriers that I see. - ty97 Apr 13, 16:51 48
    - [deleted] 32
      - Well sure. When I say "everybody" I mean "human beings", not the IRS - ty97 Apr 13, 17:15 24
        
        [deleted] 23
        
        I don't for a second believe it's goign to happen. - ty97 Apr 13, 17:20 22
        
        [deleted] 21
        
        US taxes seem a bit more complicated from how they get described here, but that seems like a red herring - Reagen Apr 13, 17:25 20
        
        This is true to an extent, but prosecution is not the sole risk. - ty97 Apr 13, 17:28 1
        
        And unlike underpayment, the IRS won't tell you you did it. -- nm - the liioulu who is an idiot Apr 13, 17:29
        
        [deleted] 17
        
        Is that the number who "qualify for" or number who "claim"? - ty97 Apr 13, 17:30 10
        
        [deleted] 9
        
        I've of the opinion that people shouldn't be *required* to use a tax preparer in order to properly file taxes. -- nm - ty97 Apr 13, 17:36 8
        
        [deleted] 7
        
        I don't buy the analogy. - ty97 Apr 13, 17:46 6
        
        [deleted] 5
        
        Again, you're wrong. - ty97 Apr 13, 17:53 3
        
        [deleted]
        
        [deleted]
        
        It's not mandatory, or a law. - the liioulu who is an idiot Apr 13, 17:55
        
        Some tax preparers do their own taxes, some hire other preparers to do it. - the liioulu who is an idiot Apr 13, 17:50
        
        401ks aren't deductable? -- nm - Reagen Apr 13, 17:30 5
        
        you don't have to itemize for that. - ty97 Apr 13, 17:32
        
        [deleted] 2
        
        Oh, I see - Reagen Apr 13, 17:35 1
        
        [deleted]
        
        No, they just aren't taxable unless you take money out of them. -- nm - the liioulu who is an idiot Apr 13, 17:31
      - [deleted] 6
        
        and law firms (tax lawyers especially) -- nm - Beaker Apr 13, 17:09 5
        
        [deleted] 4
        
        ummm don;t tax lawyers make their living based on how complicated tax returns are� -- nm - Beaker Apr 13, 17:12 3
        
        [deleted] 1
        
        see the post right below. Took a second but I got it on my own :) -- nm - Beaker Apr 13, 17:24
        
        ahh, I got where you were going with it. -- nm - Beaker Apr 13, 17:13
    - What was the total take last year in federal income tax? - Fuzzy Apr 13, 17:06
    - they can't touch the mortgage interest exemption... it'd be crushing -- nm - stewie Apr 13, 16:53 13
      - That's one of the last ones I'd consider removing, It think. - ty97 Apr 13, 16:55 12
        
        FWIW most other countries don't have this exemption. Also, the taxpayers that benefit most are the ones with the most expensive houses -- nm - Roger More Apr 13, 16:58 11
        
        Though there is a difference between not having it and taking it away. Even if a good idea in the long run, it would have to be done very gradually. -- nm - Dano Apr 13, 17:03 2
        
        [deleted]
        
        Oh sure - it'd be political suicide. -- nm - Roger More Apr 13, 17:09
        
        Thanks for adding this. I don't think it's all that sacrosanct. If you can't afford to buy, don't buy. -- nm - mara Apr 13, 17:02
        
        There are limits on it. -- nm - ty97 Apr 13, 17:01 6
        
        On interest up to $1 million of debt, according to wiki. I wonder how many people have more than $1 million of debt on their house -- nm - Roger More Apr 13, 17:07 5
        
        I don't know that I disagree with the $1 million number. - ty97 Apr 13, 17:10 4
        
        Yeah - maybe it could be linked to a % of the average house price in the area or something -- nm - Roger More Apr 13, 17:25
        
        Exactly, When a three bedroom, 2 bath house built in the 50's goes for close to 700k in the bay area (albeit this was 6 years ago) you realize - Stephen Apr 13, 17:23 2
        
        Ideally, numbers like this and the AMT should be localized. - ty97 Apr 13, 17:25 1
        
        [deleted]
Just curious... is there any polling about the voting habits of those 50%? -- nm - Dano Apr 13, 16:44
He's not helping his cause with stuff like that. -- nm - Mop (219 lbs) Apr 13, 16:41 3
- Why would you say that? - Drill Sergeant Stephen Apr 13, 16:46 2
  - It might imply that ordinary Americans should be taxed more -- nm - Roger More Apr 13, 16:55 1
    - Uh-huh. -- nm - the liioulu who is an idiot Apr 13, 16:57

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