FROM OUR INBOX
I agree that almost all forms of American taxation other than income tax are regressive and unfair to people of modest means. But I wasn’t talking about fairness... I was talking about math. And math, as those of us who flunked it in high school know, isn’t fair. And note that individual income tax provides the largest share of federal revenue. You wrote: “And folks who make less than $47,300?... they don’t pay any federal income tax at all. In fact, on average, they receive money back from the feds.” Not so! I made about $45,000 (gross) and paid over $2,000 in federal income tax last year. – C.A.S. P.J. O’Rourke comment: Dear C.A.S., let’s go C.P.A. Are you sure you’re balancing your accounts – subtracting all direct and indirect government benefits you receive from the income tax you pay? If you’re still getting nicked for two grand I suggest being more aggressive on your IRS Form 1040 – better to get audited than to go broke! And, if even that fails, at least you can console yourself with the thought that your income tax rate is only 4.4% ($2,000 divided by $45,000). Which is more than nothing, but less than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Live within your means, raise your kids, reach retirement and the government is right there to take some of the extra money you thought you would have. Oh yes, they tax your Social Security also if you happen to have a little too much coming in from your IRA...
been rich. But every time “only the rich” will be affected by a tax, it seems to hit me. No such thing as fair when it comes to taxes. – Alan S. P.J. O’Rourke comment: Amen, Alan. No such thing as fair and no such thing as a tax that affects “only the rich.” All tax money is money taken away from productive purposes (which the free market will always find for money) and used for unproductive purposes (which the government will almost always find for money). Re: Tax Strike! April 18, 2018 issue of American Weekly Consequences You are the first I have seen to advocate something. Of course it is tongue in cheek but the underlying idea is correct. I thought that a tax delay would actually accomplish some upset. If the rich would not pay for two years and just handle the interest and penalty it would be legal and something would have to change quickly. – Jim T. P.J. O’Rourke comment: But you know how it is, tangling with the IRS. You first, Jim. Re: A Few Political E-Mails I am an environment voter. If you cannot drink clean water, breathe clean air and till clean soil, then this game here is over. Mars is not ready for us, though other beings may not let us escape from this planet that we are destroying. Would serve us right. – Patty D.
It is just going to get worse. I’ve never
16 May 2018
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