The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: billt on April 03, 2018, 12:49:29 PM
-
I can't find any information on this. I'm not talking just income tax. I mean EVERYTHING. Income tax, city and state sales tax, gas tax, liquor tax, license plate tax, (anything over the cost of the plate itself is tax). "Gas guzzler" tax, property tax, dog and pet taxes, (tags), building permits, (tax), fines paid in traffic tickets and DWI's, and about 20 others I'm forgetting at the moment.
Don't forget hunting and fishing licenses, boat and watercraft stickers, (taxes). I wonder what the grand total is if you add up EVERYTHING on a nationwide basis?
-
I've heard it said that sometime on Wed. mornings, you start working for your self...but I don't know if that nearly 50% includes all you are mentioning.
-
Ironic that George Harrison wrote The Taxman in reference to the Progressive Labour parties tax hikes in the sixties!
Too many taxes....
-
I've heard it said that sometime on Wed. mornings, you start working for your self...but I don't know if that nearly 50% includes all you are mentioning.
We are about to start hearing about "Tax Freedom Day." These vary from state to state, due to different state taxes. For many it is sometime in May, but that is based off Federal, State, Property, and Sales taxes. Nobody wants to talk about all the hidden taxes we pay, that Billt touched on.
I do not have any proof, but a person I trust did some work pushing a pencil back in the early 80's. Income, property, sales are all easy to estimate, but then he started digging. He looked at vehicle (personal and recreational), registrations, license fees of all types, fuel taxes, permit "fees", and then the compounding taxes: Excise is the largest offender. Today we add the whole new level of TSA, EPA Hazard, Super Fund, Recycle, etc. fees.
-
Since the Pittman-Robertson Excise Tax went into effect in 1938, Uncle Sam has collected over $11 Billion on guns, ammo, bows and arrows. Another site says over $10 Billion, yet another says over $7 Billion, and the NRA says over $10.1 Billion. The Dingell–Johnson Act is similar to the Pittman-Robertson Act, but for fishing equipment, etc.
-
One thing about Pittman-Robertson is that "we" asked for it, and it has been protected for the purposes we asked.
-
One thing about Pittman-Robertson is that "we" asked for it, and it has been protected for the purposes we asked.
Yep. It's about the only thing we've had any say in.
-
You know, a lot of stuff starts out, as promised, as being used for the purpose it was promised when the law was drumming up support..
Like gasoline and other taxes to support the road infrastructure...but which ends up being diverted to other uses favored by politicians, so the roads and bridges fall into disrepair.
Another example is the SS payroll deductions...promised to stay in the fund and grow to be able to support retirees with monthly income keeping pace with inflation...gone to other uses...
We are lucky Pitman-Robertson has stayed where it belongs...perhaps because the great majority of folks who have funds invested in it own guns....
P.S. we shouldn't have to ASK the government for anything...anything they might have to give came from us in the first place...
A nice T-Shirt for this time of year
https://www.libertariancountry.com/products/taxation-is-theft-t-shirt?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7eurx5-f2gIVj0sNCh1wcg2lEAQYASABEgI6A_D_BwE
-
You know, a lot of stuff starts out, as promised, as being used for the purpose it was promised when the law was drumming up support.. Like gasoline and other taxes to support the road infrastructure...but which ends up being diverted to other uses favored by politicians, so the roads and bridges fall into disrepair.
Toll roads are famous for that. When they all start out, the toll is only supposed to last for a certain number of years until the project is paid off. But they never are. The Illinois Toll Road System is a perfect example. They've been collecting for decades. They will NEVER be paid off. A lot of the money goes elsewhere. Once they start a tax, it never ends.
-
You know, a lot of stuff starts out, as promised, as being used for the purpose it was promised when the law was drumming up support..
Like gasoline and other taxes to support the road infrastructure...but which ends up being diverted to other uses favored by politicians, so the roads and bridges fall into disrepair.
Another example is the SS payroll deductions...promised to stay in the fund and grow to be able to support retirees with monthly income keeping pace with inflation...gone to other uses...
We are lucky Pitman-Robertson has stayed where it belongs...perhaps because the great majority of folks who have funds invested in it own guns....
P.S. we shouldn't have to ASK the government for anything...anything they might have to give came from us in the first place...
A nice T-Shirt for this time of year
https://www.libertariancountry.com/products/taxation-is-theft-t-shirt?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7eurx5-f2gIVj0sNCh1wcg2lEAQYASABEgI6A_D_BwE
Cool T-shirt, and the price is okay. Too bad it doesn't come in tall sizes like the 4 T-shirts that are on their way to me now.
There was a guy at work who was convinced that income taxes were voluntary and didn't pay them. He read about it in a book so it must be true. ::)
ETA: When Bill mentioned toll roads the first thing that came to mind was the Mackinac Bridge. It's the only toll I've ever had to pay in Michigan. Unfortunately the underwater cables that carry electricity across the straits next to the bridge were shut down after leaking about 550 gallons of coolant fluid into the water.
Crossing the part of northern Ohio I've been on it's worth paying the toll on the turnpike rather than try to find another route instead of I-80.
-
Everything is voluntary, until you get caught. No one actually studies the amount of taxes paid on the governmental level. They really don't want people to know that number
-
Two items we deal with locally (Minnesota) include municipalities paying sales tax on purchases - Tax dollars paying taxes; and, (our local community) Payment in Lieu of Taxes - Our city owns the electric, water and wastewater utilities. They collect $360,000 per year from the utilities "in lieu of taxes". This figure is supposed to be what a private company would pay in property taxes if they owned the businesses.
When I was on the Utility Commission we fought this fee. One member was constantly telling the City Administrator to let utilities be utilities and taxes be taxes - Utility bills are not deductible, and taxes are.
We also dealt with the electric utility having $1.25 million in savings to self insure our supply lines and set aside for depreciation replacement of equipment. The City would use this money for collateral against other loans, so when we needed to dip in to pay for items, it wasn't available, and we had to borrow and pay interest - High interest, because our cash supply was already tied up on streets, park equipment, snow plows, lawn mowers, ...
-
I wouldn't be surprised if half of what we make goes to pay taxes of one kind or another, but it could be worse. Years ago I read that in the U.K. 80% of what they make is taken away in the form of taxes. They have to get by with only spending 1/5 of what they make. I'm sure things have only gotten worse over the years.
-
Let's see about 40% of my income goes too taxes+ ss+ other non tax taxes.( I am over the as cap or it would be closer too 45%) About 1% of my gross is property tax. There is about $100/ month in fees added on too utilities for my home. $.35 / gallon for fuel. I have no clue when it comes to excise taxes. So 50% would be a very fair number, but all told I would not be shocked at 60%
-
I think the right number is over 75%. Everything you touch has been taxed somewhere before you get it. I'll go on the oil that gasoline is made with. Severance tax is 3 to 9 percent depending on which state. Use 6%. Of course, when for instance I am signing invoices for a 12 million dollar well 7-1/2% of that cost is sales tax or...if it is services (some are "exempt" from sales tax) the company/people providing the services are being taxed at around 45%...income tax, social security tax both ways, mediwhatever and on and on it goes. Once I see the oil to someone it costs $2 to $5 to get it to a refinery...of course that cost is 30-60% tax. Once sold to the refinery the profit is taxed. Then the refinery pays taxes when it sells and taxes for it's workers, ad valorem, etc., etc. Then you get it at the pump and get slammed.
This kind of thing is true for all that we buy. Look at the supply chain from inception to your purchase...yeah, 75% of everything is a minimum of tax.
They hide it well, don't they? >:(
-
I always like to use "Denatured" alcohol as a good example of the lengths the government will go to, so as not to get cheated out of tax money they so desperately want to collect. The term "denatured" basically means poisoned. The government insists by law, in their infinite wisdom, non beverage grade ethyl alcohol of any type be poisoned so it cannot be consumed as an untaxed beverage.
It's the only real difference between the 190 proof grain alcohol you buy at the liquor store for around $20.00 a quart. And the $6.00 a gallon stuff they sell in the paint dept. at Home Depot. TAX.
-
I found out I have until the 30th to pay my city taxes. I forgot that H&R Block already did those too. All I have to do is write out an $11 check, put my paperwork in the envelope, stamp it, and have it postmarked in the next 3 weeks. I might get it done this week but I'm not in any hurry. When I used to pay city taxes every year it was 1% of the adjusted gross income on my 1040. I haven't even looked to see what it is now.
-
City taxes? When in the heck do you live? Damn...that sucks.
-
City taxes? When in the heck do you live? Damn...that sucks.
I'm in Flint, MI and this is the first time I've had to pay any city taxes at all in several years. $11 for a whole year isn't bad, and I wouldn't have to pay that if they didn't tax my gambling winnings. I won $1,000 on one game, and about 2 months later won $1,262.50 on another. Anything over $600 gets reported. The way I figure it $11 is less than 1/2 of 1% of $2,262.50. I can live with that.
It was a different story when I was working. City taxes were 1% of my income, minus exemptions and deductions. If I lived where I worked, I don't think I would have paid city taxes, but I couldn't afford a house there, or the property taxes.
-
public service announcement... I turn 70 1/2 this year, and have been making arrangements for my Required Minimum Distributions of my IRAs... if you are young enough, and have a payroll deduction into which you contribute, look into the conversion to a ROTH IRA if possible...pay the taxes up front while you are still earning money... make sure your kids have the same information
-
I was reviewing my tax return for the last year this morning. I have 17 diesel trucks of varying sizes. We drove 512000 miles last year and consumed just over 34000 gallons of Highway diesel fuel. Now the federal tax rate on diesel fuel is 24.4 cents a gallon, state is .$.34. Some areas have local, but that is a lot harder too figure out so we don't go there. So in just my fuel usage, the federal is 8296, state is 11560, for a total of $19856. Just in fuel taxes! I dropped $20k in f....k taxes on diesel. I also had another 7k gallons of off hwy use fuel, but that is taxed differently.
Now here is the gross part, average price at the pump was ~$2.64. So roughly 22% was tax. Think about that, next time you are at the pump, ~25% is tax.
Ps I really wish I had not seen that.
-
Wow. I almost used the lord's name in vain when I read that.
-
Found this today. Found it interesting:
Headline is: Feds Collect Record Individual Income Taxes Through March; Still Run $599.7B Deficit
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/terence-p-jeffrey/feds-collect-record-individual-income-taxes-through-march-still-run
-
<snip>
Now here is the gross part, average price at the pump was ~$2.64. So roughly 22% was tax. Think about that, next time you are at the pump, ~25% is tax.
<snip>
There was roughly 12 cents already added to it by virtue of severance tax. Add to that the transportation taxes of crude oil, refinery taxes, etc. and it's easily another 20 cents a gallon. So you are actually 30% in direct taxes on that.
-
Just mailed my return/ check. For how much I have them you would think they could have paid for the stamp.
I was just thinking what it took for me too oh them, the profit I made from my largest invoice... 3.8x. Or too put it another wat ~14000 man hours . Yes, that is 14000 man hours. My biggest project had ~3700 man hours, billed.
I am not a drinking man, but I need a drink.
Ps, yes I know I did very well last year and many people are struggling, I still only made bout 40% more then my highest paid employee.... of which he worked less hours, free truck, fuel, tools and he to pay zero of the costs. Feels great.
-
I already spent my 2017 refund of $467 .... I bought a Mossberg Shockwave 12 ga, just to piss off the liberals I occasionally eat with... In my best Flip Wilson voice... " the devil made me do it, honey"
-
I just entered a contest to win a Shockwave a little while ago. If I could remember where I'd share a link to it. I think I got $13 back from the state. I can use that to pay my city taxes and have $2 left.
-
A few years ago someone asked me if I didn't feel guilty for digging and using every deduction for which I was even remotely eligible.
I asked them: "if you came home from work and there was a pickup truck parked out front filled with your belongings, how guilty would you feel trying to grab as much out of the truck as you could before it pulled away?"
This thread really shows how true that analogy is.
-
A few years ago someone asked me if I didn't feel guilty for digging and using every deduction for which I was even remotely eligible.
I asked them: "if you came home from work and there was a pickup truck parked out front filled with your belongings, how guilty would you feel trying to grab as much out of the truck as you could before it pulled away?"
This thread really shows how true that analogy is.
there are two kinds of people that say they pay all their taxes. Liars and fools, which one are you?
-
there are two kinds of people that say they pay all their taxes. Liars and fools, which one are you?
Probably a little of both but I also will find EVERY deduction I can remotely find. I don't want to pay the Dumbocrats and welfare weasels anymore than I have to.
-
I know I will be audited for last year. My taxable income jumped by many times compared too the last few. I am already prepared for it, just waiting on the letter
-
I know I will be audited for last year. My taxable income jumped by many times compared too the last few. I am already prepared for it, just waiting on the letter
They'll likely think you under-reported your income all of the other years. I heard they can only go back 7 years on an audit but that could just be hearsay.
-
They'll likely think you under-reported your income all of the other years. I heard they can only go back 7 years on an audit but that could just be hearsay.
they can go back 10 if they believe it was fraud. 7 is normal. I have all the documents, ready to go. In both digital and hard copy. I can send them balance sheets if they request it or I can send them a copy of every invoice/ receipt I have if they want. From 6 figure invoices to $.15 washers. I have it, ready to go. I am really. It worried as my recorded keeping is beyond anal. What can I say my mother was an lead auditor for ftb( franchise tax board. Ca irs) so I always have paper.
-
Good work, TAB. Sounds like you are prepared.
Reminds me of this joke...
https://www.sunnyskyz.com/funny-jokes/102/The-IRS-Audits-A-Gambling-Grandpa
-
Good work, TAB. Sounds like you are prepared.
Reminds me of this joke...
https://www.sunnyskyz.com/funny-jokes/102/The-IRS-Audits-A-Gambling-Grandpa
:) Classic joke Solus, but if the last bet was double or nothing like they said, it would have been another $3K, not $6K, and the auditor would end up with (double or) nothing. $6K would be lose triple or end up $3K ahead. Win or lose it wouldn't be double, or nothing.
-
They'll likely think you under-reported your income all of the other years. I heard they can only go back 7 years on an audit but that could just be hearsay.
Not saying they can't go back further, but when we were audited she told me three is where they typically stop, and no more than five. That is why when they did ours there was only one additional year, vs. the typical target plus two previous.
-
For me they will most likely want the last 3 as that is sop. I am not worried. I reported every check I got and did not write off a few things as they would be hard too prove personal/business.
Example my 5th wheel I am living in while I am building my house. I bought it for a job site trailer for 1 job, but kept it afterwards as I knew I would need it for what it is being used for now. Hard too put a value on its use on a job site as you can not rent a job site trailer that is anything other then a office. This one I bought so I could live on site during the week. While I am sure I could claim some % of its costs, is the few hundred worth the massive head ache? No it's not
-
I finally paid my city taxes. I dropped the envelope in a public mailbox so it will be postmarked tomorrow, 2 days before the deadline. I think I mentioned somewhere on here that I don't write many checks anymore. I looked at my carbonless copies and the check before this one was in October 2014 when I had a guy come and look at my furnace. That was the last year I paid my property taxes by check too.