I know it's worthless to complain, but:
We files our 2014 tax return in February, using "E-File".
In early March, we got a letter from the IRS telling us our "refund" would be cut roughly in half, from what their E-File system calculated. OK, so we don't get what we expected. Easy come, easy go. We did get the reduced refund, and promptly spent it on overdue bills stemming from my then-recent layoff.
In April, we got another letter from the IRS - they want $2800 for taxes owed on our 2013 return, due to our not listing a "debt reduction" negotiated settlement of a credit card. We never received the 1099 that companies are required to send to people who get settlements like this, but they evidently DID send the information to the IRS so they could determine that we owe more.
First off, when we contacted with the lawyer to negotiate credit cards down, we were not told that any settlement would be treated by the IRS as a lump-sun increase in our income that year.
Secondly, why did the IRS not notice the discrepancy in our 2013 return before refunding almost double what we "owe" to us for 2014? I thought they deducted unpaid taxes from refunds.
I'm beginning to understand why some people go nuts.
To top it off, we recently got notices of MORE "settlements" from that lawyer - he's earning his keep, anyway - that will undoubtedly almost double our income this year, so in 2016 we will have to go into more debt to pay taxes on money we never saw.
There's been much talk of the "Fair Tax" where you pay a set percentage of your base pay to the government. It still will require the IRS to monitor people's personal lives lest they have an undocumented job, and will still require all those databases of American's financial dealings.
How about we abolish the IRS and all income taxes by Constitutional amendment. Make all government live off 5% or 10% of all retail sales exclusive of food, and shrink as needed to stay within budget. Let the various states donate 5% or 10% of their tax income to the federal government. The feds should never be bigger than 1/10 of 1% of the economy, defense included. This will provide a long-needed positive feedback mechanism for the government to actually help grow the economy rather than impede it.
Of course, this will mean a wholesale deconstruction of the federal government, and the layoffs of millions of useless drones, who will all go on unemployment until it runs out. Since all "entitlements" would also end, these drones would have to learn useful trades or starve.
Beautiful image. I won't hold my breath.
Showing posts with label taxes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taxes. Show all posts
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Tax time
Did our taxes today. Only took three hours, including the "e-file". Getting a good refund, at least that's what the filled-out forms tell me. I'll believe it when the checks clear.
Aside from the Wisconsin e-file form not being readable in the browser, but just fine downloaded and opened in Adobe, and the fact that the Wisconsin W-2 form not allowing punctuation and cents where the federal form did, I think I only damned the fed and state IRS to eternal hell with extra brimstone fifty or so times.
Aside from the Wisconsin e-file form not being readable in the browser, but just fine downloaded and opened in Adobe, and the fact that the Wisconsin W-2 form not allowing punctuation and cents where the federal form did, I think I only damned the fed and state IRS to eternal hell with extra brimstone fifty or so times.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Just did the taxes
Just finished the federal and state tax returns for last year, and "e-filed" them.
It's a good thing I'm basically a peaceful person. Dealing with tax forms can turn a saint into a raving monster.
Wisconsin requires an "electronic copy" of your federal return in order to file Wisconsin taxes.
Why? If you file by mail, there's no requirement to send copies of the federal forms.
So, I did the federal e-file first.
The "free" federal e-file fill-in forms are apparently farmed out to some private outfit. How much of our tax money goes to this outfit?
They do a reasonably good job of digitizing the morass of IRS forms with hyperlinks to pull in the correct forms needed for the various lines.
Unfortunately, they don't tell you to NOT enter a zero on lines that correspond to forms you don't need to fill out. If you do this, there's no warning. The e-file goes through and you get an acknowledgement email saying the IRS will accept or deny the filing in a while.
Then you get another email from the IRS - "denied" - with a nice list of cryptic debug information that probably looks like some sort of Satanic incantation to people unfamiliar with programming.
So, I debugged - and discovered the lines I had entered a zero on raised a flag telling the IRS to expect the associated form, which didn't exist in the filing - so, denied.
Three iterations later, I got an email back - "filing successful".
Is this just a way of forcing Joe Public into H&R Block or Liberty Tax Service? I have to wonder if there's a connection between the "free" e-file and these guys.
Another irritation - when you tell the federal e-file to "print" the return, it just flickers the screen. Nothing comes out of the printer. After a few tries, I thought to look at the download folder - and there resided a few copies of the return - in PDF format. It would have been nice for the code to raise a message box telling you that!
The Wisconsin form was a bit more logical, but had some irritating features also. They require you to enter your W-2 forms manually, and do math on what you enter. The totals from the W-2s was $2 off from the federal forms for some reason. I hope I don't get audited for that.
I hope Governor Walker wasn't just blowing smoke when he suggested that Wisconsin repeal the income tax here. Getting rid of the bureaucracy and all the state (union?) employees needed to process the state income tax would likely give us another surplus we could use to pay off the last of Doyle's debts...
It's a good thing I'm basically a peaceful person. Dealing with tax forms can turn a saint into a raving monster.
Wisconsin requires an "electronic copy" of your federal return in order to file Wisconsin taxes.
Why? If you file by mail, there's no requirement to send copies of the federal forms.
So, I did the federal e-file first.
The "free" federal e-file fill-in forms are apparently farmed out to some private outfit. How much of our tax money goes to this outfit?
They do a reasonably good job of digitizing the morass of IRS forms with hyperlinks to pull in the correct forms needed for the various lines.
Unfortunately, they don't tell you to NOT enter a zero on lines that correspond to forms you don't need to fill out. If you do this, there's no warning. The e-file goes through and you get an acknowledgement email saying the IRS will accept or deny the filing in a while.
Then you get another email from the IRS - "denied" - with a nice list of cryptic debug information that probably looks like some sort of Satanic incantation to people unfamiliar with programming.
So, I debugged - and discovered the lines I had entered a zero on raised a flag telling the IRS to expect the associated form, which didn't exist in the filing - so, denied.
Three iterations later, I got an email back - "filing successful".
Is this just a way of forcing Joe Public into H&R Block or Liberty Tax Service? I have to wonder if there's a connection between the "free" e-file and these guys.
Another irritation - when you tell the federal e-file to "print" the return, it just flickers the screen. Nothing comes out of the printer. After a few tries, I thought to look at the download folder - and there resided a few copies of the return - in PDF format. It would have been nice for the code to raise a message box telling you that!
The Wisconsin form was a bit more logical, but had some irritating features also. They require you to enter your W-2 forms manually, and do math on what you enter. The totals from the W-2s was $2 off from the federal forms for some reason. I hope I don't get audited for that.
I hope Governor Walker wasn't just blowing smoke when he suggested that Wisconsin repeal the income tax here. Getting rid of the bureaucracy and all the state (union?) employees needed to process the state income tax would likely give us another surplus we could use to pay off the last of Doyle's debts...
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Fury
That's my present mood. I just got finished filing my federal and state income taxes via the internet.
The IRS shunts you to a "private company" that collects your data and fills out PDF forms which then can be submitted back to the IRS. The IRS then tells you if the transmitted data was acceptable, and if there's an error, gives a fairly understandable explanation - whereupon, you must go back to that "private company" and fix the problem - and try again.
Four tries later, I have gotten an acceptance form the IRS. This by no means says I am out of the woods - just that the math all lined up.
The PDFs the "private company" provide are pretty good, but there are several places where data that should be automatically linked is not, and there's not a good explanation of exactly WHAT data needs to be transferred from one form to the other. There's no error checking to ensure all the IRS required entries are filled in. But - whaddaya want for free?
I wonder how much the IRS paid that "private company" to provide that "free" service? They offer their own "free" service - IF you meet their requirements for income, etc.
OK. Feds taken care of, and I expect a refund. On to Wisconsin.
The WI E-file site tries to open a PDF that calls in to the WI Department of Revenue. It requires you to have on hand an electronic copy of the IRS forms you just filled in - you DID download a copy, right?
Fill in the form - attach the IRS stuff - after spending a few frantic minutes looking for the PDF "attach" paper clip. Submit the mess to the WI DOR.
Find out you made a mistake on the fed form - fix that, resend - and try to update the WI stuff.
There's no way to do that. File once, and you are locked out.
I'm dusting off that time machine I started when I was eight - who wants to travel with me back to 1913 and shoot the progressives who pushed 16th amendment? Be warned - we will likely cease to exist upon finishing our quest. But think of how much suffering and waste would be saved in the next century!
The IRS shunts you to a "private company" that collects your data and fills out PDF forms which then can be submitted back to the IRS. The IRS then tells you if the transmitted data was acceptable, and if there's an error, gives a fairly understandable explanation - whereupon, you must go back to that "private company" and fix the problem - and try again.
Four tries later, I have gotten an acceptance form the IRS. This by no means says I am out of the woods - just that the math all lined up.
The PDFs the "private company" provide are pretty good, but there are several places where data that should be automatically linked is not, and there's not a good explanation of exactly WHAT data needs to be transferred from one form to the other. There's no error checking to ensure all the IRS required entries are filled in. But - whaddaya want for free?
I wonder how much the IRS paid that "private company" to provide that "free" service? They offer their own "free" service - IF you meet their requirements for income, etc.
OK. Feds taken care of, and I expect a refund. On to Wisconsin.
The WI E-file site tries to open a PDF that calls in to the WI Department of Revenue. It requires you to have on hand an electronic copy of the IRS forms you just filled in - you DID download a copy, right?
Fill in the form - attach the IRS stuff - after spending a few frantic minutes looking for the PDF "attach" paper clip. Submit the mess to the WI DOR.
Find out you made a mistake on the fed form - fix that, resend - and try to update the WI stuff.
There's no way to do that. File once, and you are locked out.
I'm dusting off that time machine I started when I was eight - who wants to travel with me back to 1913 and shoot the progressives who pushed 16th amendment? Be warned - we will likely cease to exist upon finishing our quest. But think of how much suffering and waste would be saved in the next century!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Another sickening development
Found this here:
Sounds like another conspiracy theory from the tinfoil hat brigade… Right?
Back in March, while researching the repeal of some anti-gun ordinances, I stumbled across an Orlando City Council agenda item that grabbed my attention. It was, on its surface, just a mundane action item for the annual contract renewal of a city employee. But this city employee’s job title was, well, unique…
“Approving Employment Contract for the Grant-Funded Position of Mayors Against Illegal Guns Regional Coordinator.” City of Orlando Website
+++++++++++++
Much more at the link.
Is YOUR city stealing from you to infringe on your rights?
MAIG Coordinators Paid as City Employees, Saves Gun-Hater’s Money
Here’s a great way to reduce overhead and be effective at running a national organization dedicated to infringing on the gun rights of everyday people all at the same time… Have cities hire your people for you so that tax payers cover ¼ of your people’s salary and benefits, pay for most of their operational costs, and finance all of their other resources! It also embeds your people as leaders in city government so that you don’t have to lobby there!Sounds like another conspiracy theory from the tinfoil hat brigade… Right?
Back in March, while researching the repeal of some anti-gun ordinances, I stumbled across an Orlando City Council agenda item that grabbed my attention. It was, on its surface, just a mundane action item for the annual contract renewal of a city employee. But this city employee’s job title was, well, unique…
“Approving Employment Contract for the Grant-Funded Position of Mayors Against Illegal Guns Regional Coordinator.” City of Orlando Website
+++++++++++++
Much more at the link.
Is YOUR city stealing from you to infringe on your rights?
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Osamanomics, IRS edition
I was expecting a fair refund from the IRS. Got a letter from them today.
I made a "mistake" somewhere, after reading their oh-so-clear instructions for filling out the myriad forms required for someone who dares to work for himself, rather than collect a wage.
The IRS informed me that they were reducing my reported income by 25%. This of course caused my tax owed to double.
So, instead of a respectable refund, which would have gone toward such trivialities as overdue medical bills, and the property tax due on my home, I owe the IRS several hundred dollars, due, of course by April 17th.
Happy birthday to me!
I made a "mistake" somewhere, after reading their oh-so-clear instructions for filling out the myriad forms required for someone who dares to work for himself, rather than collect a wage.
The IRS informed me that they were reducing my reported income by 25%. This of course caused my tax owed to double.
So, instead of a respectable refund, which would have gone toward such trivialities as overdue medical bills, and the property tax due on my home, I owe the IRS several hundred dollars, due, of course by April 17th.
Happy birthday to me!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Rant
I'm pissed.
When I started my business in Wisconsin years ago, I got a sales tax account, since I could not buy anything from wholesalers unless I could show them my sales tax certificate.
The Department of Revenue wanted periodic filings of how much I collected. Since I had nothing in the way of sales, I kept reporting "$0". Finally, they revoked my certificate because I never had anything to file.
Now, it happens that I have an opportunity to actually sell some merchandise - and the wholesaler won't sell it to me unless I send them a copy of my sales tax certificate.
So, being a good citizen, I went to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue web site and tried to use their on-line registration to get the certificate. Doing it by mail takes up to 15 days, and my customer is impatient.
It asks me if I've registered my business - "yes", as I have an LLC.
I use my SSN as an ID. It accepts this.
Now, it wants to know my name. Put that in. Next, it asks if I am a "Disregarded Entity". What the f**k is that? The other choices are "Single Member of a Disregarded Entity" or "None of the Above". The first choice is greyed out.
"None of the Above". Click OK.
Now it wants to know which permits I want. The Seller's Permit, which is what I want, is greyed out. I should feel free to ask for permits to run a dry-cleaning business, though.
Back a step - select "Single Member of a Disregarded Entity".
Now, it wants my "FEIN". I have no employees, and have always used my SSN. The IRS is happy with that. Put in my SSN. It takes it. Put in my legal business name. Onward.
Again, it asks what permits I want. Seller's permit is now un-greyed. Select that. Now, I get a check mark in the box for other permits I don't need. Onward.
It wants to know about the "Disregarded Entity" now. The choices are "account in single owner's name" - greyed out - and "account in LLC". So, select LLC.
Now it wants detail about where I have the shop. Fill out all the blanks, including telling them I don't live in special tax areas or run limousines. Next.
Tell them I expect minimal sales. Next.
Now comes the fun. "Disregarded Entity" information. Immediately, I have a RED BOX! My SSN is not acceptable! There's a box for "Business or Individual". The first time through, it lets me deselect "Business" and I try to enter "Individual".
It automatically changes back to "Business", and puts that RED BOX back up. Now, I can't change anything. It won't allow me to proceed until I tell it my FEIN, which I don't have.
It won't let me ENTER an FEIN, even if I had one.
Wasted an hour f**king with this crap. Now I have to take time off a paying job tomorrow to call their phone number and wait for a human.
This is why I am an anarchist.
When I started my business in Wisconsin years ago, I got a sales tax account, since I could not buy anything from wholesalers unless I could show them my sales tax certificate.
The Department of Revenue wanted periodic filings of how much I collected. Since I had nothing in the way of sales, I kept reporting "$0". Finally, they revoked my certificate because I never had anything to file.
Now, it happens that I have an opportunity to actually sell some merchandise - and the wholesaler won't sell it to me unless I send them a copy of my sales tax certificate.
So, being a good citizen, I went to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue web site and tried to use their on-line registration to get the certificate. Doing it by mail takes up to 15 days, and my customer is impatient.
It asks me if I've registered my business - "yes", as I have an LLC.
I use my SSN as an ID. It accepts this.
Now, it wants to know my name. Put that in. Next, it asks if I am a "Disregarded Entity". What the f**k is that? The other choices are "Single Member of a Disregarded Entity" or "None of the Above". The first choice is greyed out.
"None of the Above". Click OK.
Now it wants to know which permits I want. The Seller's Permit, which is what I want, is greyed out. I should feel free to ask for permits to run a dry-cleaning business, though.
Back a step - select "Single Member of a Disregarded Entity".
Now, it wants my "FEIN". I have no employees, and have always used my SSN. The IRS is happy with that. Put in my SSN. It takes it. Put in my legal business name. Onward.
Again, it asks what permits I want. Seller's permit is now un-greyed. Select that. Now, I get a check mark in the box for other permits I don't need. Onward.
It wants to know about the "Disregarded Entity" now. The choices are "account in single owner's name" - greyed out - and "account in LLC". So, select LLC.
Now it wants detail about where I have the shop. Fill out all the blanks, including telling them I don't live in special tax areas or run limousines. Next.
Tell them I expect minimal sales. Next.
Now comes the fun. "Disregarded Entity" information. Immediately, I have a RED BOX! My SSN is not acceptable! There's a box for "Business or Individual". The first time through, it lets me deselect "Business" and I try to enter "Individual".
It automatically changes back to "Business", and puts that RED BOX back up. Now, I can't change anything. It won't allow me to proceed until I tell it my FEIN, which I don't have.
It won't let me ENTER an FEIN, even if I had one.
Wasted an hour f**king with this crap. Now I have to take time off a paying job tomorrow to call their phone number and wait for a human.
This is why I am an anarchist.
Friday, March 2, 2012
The real reason
The last line says it all:
+++++++++++++++
(KMOV) – A controversial handgun registration bill is gaining steam at the Illinois State Capitol and a second bill may be passed which would increase taxes on ammunition.
Video at the link.
Of course the mayor of the second nastiest place in Ill-Annoys doesn't see another useless, illegal law as an infringement on our basic rights. It's just a way of getting a handle on any law-abiding people left in the state who still own handguns.
Does this jerk think even one gang-banger or drug dealer is going to donate $20 per handgun to the state?
+++++++++++++++
KMOV.com
Posted on March 1, 2012 at 6:07 PM
(KMOV) – A controversial handgun registration bill is gaining steam at the Illinois State Capitol and a second bill may be passed which would increase taxes on ammunition.
The gun registration bill is supported by the mayors of Chicago and
East St. Louis, but it was supposed to fail on arrival to Springfield.
It passed out of a committee this week.
Handgun owners tell News 4 that they see the registration bill and $20 feel mainly as a tax.
“I believe Illinois is trying to reinvent something the federal
government already has in place,” Steven kind, owner of Metro Shooting
Supplies in Belleville, said. "The ATF already has a way to track any
firearm that was legally purchased."
The bill is being pushed by Chicago legislators who blame illegally purchased weapons for its crime problem.
“A lot of people see this as an infringement on their rights,” East
St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks said. “I don’t see it as an infringement.
I see it as an opportunity to get a handle on who really has a
handgun.”
+++++++++++++++Video at the link.
Of course the mayor of the second nastiest place in Ill-Annoys doesn't see another useless, illegal law as an infringement on our basic rights. It's just a way of getting a handle on any law-abiding people left in the state who still own handguns.
Does this jerk think even one gang-banger or drug dealer is going to donate $20 per handgun to the state?
Saturday, December 31, 2011
IRS hiring prisoners to do your taxes!
Almost:
While Andy was innocent of the crime of murder that got him into prison, he used his considerable financial skills to turn the tables on the corrupt warden. He learned how to be a criminal while in prison. It’s quite a story worth watching. I suggest that you watch an edited version since the language and some of the scenes are kind of rough.
Maybe these incarcerated prisoners got their inspiration from watching Shawshank.
There is just one problem. The prisoners will have access to the social security numbers of the tax returns they’re working on.
If the prisoners have access to the internet, and they have Social Security numbers at their disposal, who knows what kind of mischief they will be able to get into, especially if they have someone on the outside to help them.
It’s kind of appropriate that criminals want to work for the IRS. They’ll fit right in.
Read more: Prisoners May Be Preparing Your Tax Return | Godfather Politics
Prisoners May Be Preparing Your Tax Return
A story in USA Today reports that inmates, some of them serving life sentences, have applied to the IRS to be tax preparers. Most of them did not reveal that they were incarcerated. It’s good to know that prisoners are trying to be productive members of society. It’s kind of like Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption (1994) who does the books for the warden and the prison guards.While Andy was innocent of the crime of murder that got him into prison, he used his considerable financial skills to turn the tables on the corrupt warden. He learned how to be a criminal while in prison. It’s quite a story worth watching. I suggest that you watch an edited version since the language and some of the scenes are kind of rough.
Maybe these incarcerated prisoners got their inspiration from watching Shawshank.
The inmates and ex-cons were among thousands of applicants who got the identification numbers from the IRS from September 2010 through July 2011 as the agency began phasing in a 2009 congressional mandate that requires many preparers to file tax returns electronically.
There is just one problem. The prisoners will have access to the social security numbers of the tax returns they’re working on.
If the prisoners have access to the internet, and they have Social Security numbers at their disposal, who knows what kind of mischief they will be able to get into, especially if they have someone on the outside to help them.
It’s kind of appropriate that criminals want to work for the IRS. They’ll fit right in.
Read more: Prisoners May Be Preparing Your Tax Return | Godfather Politics
Friday, December 23, 2011
Email from the DNC
Just got this:
++++++++++++++++
Chuck --
I wanted to share some good news with you. Today, President Obama signed into law a two month extension of the payroll tax holiday.
Our voices were heard and 160 million working Americans will be spared a $1,000 tax hike on their already tight budgets.
You made this happen. Nearly 300,000 of you fought right alongside with us.
On behalf of my Democratic colleagues, thank you for standing up for the middle class.
I wish each and every one of you a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.
Rep. Steve Israel
DCCC Chairman
++++++++++++++++
Right. "Tax holiday" - and when the holiday is over, guess who gets to pay the bills?
Merry Christmas From President Osama!
++++++++++++++++
Chuck --
I wanted to share some good news with you. Today, President Obama signed into law a two month extension of the payroll tax holiday.
Our voices were heard and 160 million working Americans will be spared a $1,000 tax hike on their already tight budgets.
You made this happen. Nearly 300,000 of you fought right alongside with us.
On behalf of my Democratic colleagues, thank you for standing up for the middle class.
I wish each and every one of you a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.
Rep. Steve Israel
DCCC Chairman
++++++++++++++++
Right. "Tax holiday" - and when the holiday is over, guess who gets to pay the bills?
Merry Christmas From President Osama!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Just in time for the holidays!
Our First Muslim, Barack Hussein "Grinch" Osama, has decided that the US Christmas Tree industry needs a "stimulus":
President Obama’s Agriculture Department today announced that it will impose a new 15-cent charge on all fresh Christmas trees—the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.
In the Federal Register of November 8, 2011, Acting Administrator of Agricultural Marketing David R. Shipman announced that the Secretary of Agriculture will appoint a Christmas Tree Promotion Board. The purpose of the Board is to run a “program of promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expend existing markets for Christmas trees; and to carry out programs, plans, and projects designed to provide maximum benefits to the Christmas tree industry” (7 CFR 1214.46(n)). And the program of “information” is to include efforts to “enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry in the United States” (7 CFR 1214.10).
To pay for the new Federal Christmas tree image improvement and marketing program, the Department of Agriculture imposed a 15-cent fee on all sales of fresh Christmas trees by sellers of more than 500 trees per year (7 CFR 1214.52). And, of course, the Christmas tree sellers are free to pass along the 15-cent Federal fee to consumers who buy their Christmas trees.
++++++++++++++++++
Well, actually, one of his appointed minions did it - but you know where the buck stops.
Someone PLEASE tell me where in the Constitution there is any justification for a Department of Agriculture? Let alone tax-funded "marketing aids" for private industry?
UPDATE: Evidently the buck did stop where it should - Osama caught and canceled this, but not before it made the big news. So, no Christmas tree tax (for now), but another proof of how out-of-control Osama's government is, and how little oversight this mope has for it...
Obama’s New ‘Christmas Tree Tax’
President Obama’s Agriculture Department today announced that it will impose a new 15-cent charge on all fresh Christmas trees—the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.
In the Federal Register of November 8, 2011, Acting Administrator of Agricultural Marketing David R. Shipman announced that the Secretary of Agriculture will appoint a Christmas Tree Promotion Board. The purpose of the Board is to run a “program of promotion, research, evaluation, and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace; maintain and expend existing markets for Christmas trees; and to carry out programs, plans, and projects designed to provide maximum benefits to the Christmas tree industry” (7 CFR 1214.46(n)). And the program of “information” is to include efforts to “enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry in the United States” (7 CFR 1214.10).
To pay for the new Federal Christmas tree image improvement and marketing program, the Department of Agriculture imposed a 15-cent fee on all sales of fresh Christmas trees by sellers of more than 500 trees per year (7 CFR 1214.52). And, of course, the Christmas tree sellers are free to pass along the 15-cent Federal fee to consumers who buy their Christmas trees.
++++++++++++++++++
Well, actually, one of his appointed minions did it - but you know where the buck stops.
Someone PLEASE tell me where in the Constitution there is any justification for a Department of Agriculture? Let alone tax-funded "marketing aids" for private industry?
UPDATE: Evidently the buck did stop where it should - Osama caught and canceled this, but not before it made the big news. So, no Christmas tree tax (for now), but another proof of how out-of-control Osama's government is, and how little oversight this mope has for it...
Saturday, October 22, 2011
My take on taxes, expanded
I've written on my views on government and taxes a number of times, but want to make some fine points clear.
I advocate elimination of all taxation except for a national sales tax on retail corporate sales. This follows the health of the economy directly, and people who buy more stuff pay more tax. No exemptions, deductions, no nothing. No IRS. No record-keeping for individuals and privately-held businesses. Any corporation with shareholders adds 5% of the value of their goods to the sale price, and remits it directly to a federal clearing house, which remits it back to the states in direct proportion to their populations.
I have heard criticism of this scheme as a "value-added tax", in that sales from each level of production would be taxed. That is not what I propose. The tax would only be on the final sale - for instance, a company that bought trucks for internal use would pay the tax, but a company that bought truck chassis and built bodies, then sold the completed trucks would not pay tax on the chassis, only on the final product, and the final purchaser would be paying the tax in any case. A similar scheme as found in most states now, where commercial purchasers get a letter from the state exempting them from sales taxes.
Perhaps this needs to be better defined - any corporation that sells at a retail sale a finished good collects the tax on every sale. A "finished good" is defined as anything that is usable as purchased, without needing further processing or treatment. So, sales of ores mined would be tax-free, as would iron ingots from the smelter and structural steel or bulk plumbing pipe sold to another corporation. Semi-finished items, like those truck chassis, would also be non-taxable.Crops grown would be tax-free until sold to the end consumer.
This has the effect of having all taxes paid by the people or corporations actually using the end products. "Rich" people would presumably buy a lot more and higher priced goods than the "poor", so there is a "progressive" effect for those who think the "rich" should pay their "fair share". The actual tax rate would be fixed and extremely difficult for the government to increase. I'm still thinking 5% would be enough for all levels of government in a truly civilized nation, with half reverting to the states in proportion to population, and half remaining to provide the functions the federal government is legally allowed to perform by the Constitution.
What am I missing? I want to reduce government to its' legal limits, and remove governmental intrusions into the lives of the people. Corporations are not persons, and have no right of privacy - indeed, to have their accounting open for all to see might reduce the possibility of corporate crimes such as Enron in the future. I see no possibility of this causing problems in research and development or trade secrets, since the only data collected would be gross retail sales.
Enforcement. Laws without penalties for violation are worthless. I propose that any corporation found to be cheating on this tax be fined 100% of their sales for the period of misreporting.
What motive remains for anyone to misstate sales so as to reduce the amount they pay? The seller does not have any costs related to taxes past adding 5% to the sales price of an item and putting that 5% into a special account for the tax payment. It's got to be an order of magnitude or three cheaper than having the small army of tax lawyers and accountants on staff that is required under today's tax codes.
If this makes sense, let me know. If I'm completely off the rails, or just need to make some course corrections, likewise, let me know.
I advocate elimination of all taxation except for a national sales tax on retail corporate sales. This follows the health of the economy directly, and people who buy more stuff pay more tax. No exemptions, deductions, no nothing. No IRS. No record-keeping for individuals and privately-held businesses. Any corporation with shareholders adds 5% of the value of their goods to the sale price, and remits it directly to a federal clearing house, which remits it back to the states in direct proportion to their populations.
I have heard criticism of this scheme as a "value-added tax", in that sales from each level of production would be taxed. That is not what I propose. The tax would only be on the final sale - for instance, a company that bought trucks for internal use would pay the tax, but a company that bought truck chassis and built bodies, then sold the completed trucks would not pay tax on the chassis, only on the final product, and the final purchaser would be paying the tax in any case. A similar scheme as found in most states now, where commercial purchasers get a letter from the state exempting them from sales taxes.
Perhaps this needs to be better defined - any corporation that sells at a retail sale a finished good collects the tax on every sale. A "finished good" is defined as anything that is usable as purchased, without needing further processing or treatment. So, sales of ores mined would be tax-free, as would iron ingots from the smelter and structural steel or bulk plumbing pipe sold to another corporation. Semi-finished items, like those truck chassis, would also be non-taxable.Crops grown would be tax-free until sold to the end consumer.
This has the effect of having all taxes paid by the people or corporations actually using the end products. "Rich" people would presumably buy a lot more and higher priced goods than the "poor", so there is a "progressive" effect for those who think the "rich" should pay their "fair share". The actual tax rate would be fixed and extremely difficult for the government to increase. I'm still thinking 5% would be enough for all levels of government in a truly civilized nation, with half reverting to the states in proportion to population, and half remaining to provide the functions the federal government is legally allowed to perform by the Constitution.
What am I missing? I want to reduce government to its' legal limits, and remove governmental intrusions into the lives of the people. Corporations are not persons, and have no right of privacy - indeed, to have their accounting open for all to see might reduce the possibility of corporate crimes such as Enron in the future. I see no possibility of this causing problems in research and development or trade secrets, since the only data collected would be gross retail sales.
Enforcement. Laws without penalties for violation are worthless. I propose that any corporation found to be cheating on this tax be fined 100% of their sales for the period of misreporting.
What motive remains for anyone to misstate sales so as to reduce the amount they pay? The seller does not have any costs related to taxes past adding 5% to the sales price of an item and putting that 5% into a special account for the tax payment. It's got to be an order of magnitude or three cheaper than having the small army of tax lawyers and accountants on staff that is required under today's tax codes.
If this makes sense, let me know. If I'm completely off the rails, or just need to make some course corrections, likewise, let me know.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Eat the Rich!
"Tax the rich, feed the poor - 'til there are no rich no more"
What if we actually did that?
We all starve in the cold dark, that's what.
What if we actually did that?
We all starve in the cold dark, that's what.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
I am SO happy not to be still living in Ill-Annoys!
Crook County lives up to it's name!
CHICAGO (CBS) — It's sticker shock in the mail. Tax bills went out to Cook County homeowners this week and the big jump in the amount due to many homeowners has some wondering if they can keep their house.
CBS 2′s Dana Kozlov takes a look at how the dramatic jump in property tax bills is affecting people and what you can do about it.
According to the Cook County Clerk's office, tax rates are up for schools, park districts, municipalities and other government bodies. Some of those tax levies have made double-digit increases in tax rates.
The property tax reality was setting in with Markham homeowner Patricia Taylor on Wednesday.
Asked if she can keep her house after receiving an $8,100 property tax bill, Taylor said, "I don't know right now. It's bad right now, it's really bad."
That's because her property tax bill for her three bedroom, one bathroom house shot up from $6,400 last year to $8,100 this year — a whopping 27 percent jump.
++++++++++++++++++++
CBS 2′s Dana Kozlov takes a look at how the dramatic jump in property tax bills is affecting people and what you can do about it.
According to the Cook County Clerk's office, tax rates are up for schools, park districts, municipalities and other government bodies. Some of those tax levies have made double-digit increases in tax rates.
The property tax reality was setting in with Markham homeowner Patricia Taylor on Wednesday.
Asked if she can keep her house after receiving an $8,100 property tax bill, Taylor said, "I don't know right now. It's bad right now, it's really bad."
That's because her property tax bill for her three bedroom, one bathroom house shot up from $6,400 last year to $8,100 this year — a whopping 27 percent jump.
++++++++++++++++++++
Our taxes in Beloit are less for 32 acres and outbuildings than they were on 1/3 acre in Cary, IL, McHenry county.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Why we are losing jobs
China is more "business friendly" than the US!
+++++++++++++++++++
Coca-Cola now sees the US becoming a less friendly business environment than China, its chief executive has revealed, citing political gridlock and an antiquated tax structure as reasons its home market has become less competitive.
Muhtar Kent, Coke’s chief executive, said “in many respects” it was easier doing business in China, which he likened to a well-managed company. “You have a one-stop shop in terms of the Chinese foreign investment agency and local governments are fighting for investment with each other,” he told the Financial Times.
+++++++++++++++++++
When is America going to get rid of the leeches in Washington that keep forcing businesses to flee?
2012 is coming. Wake up, people!
+++++++++++++++++++
Coca-Cola now sees the US becoming a less friendly business environment than China, its chief executive has revealed, citing political gridlock and an antiquated tax structure as reasons its home market has become less competitive.
Muhtar Kent, Coke’s chief executive, said “in many respects” it was easier doing business in China, which he likened to a well-managed company. “You have a one-stop shop in terms of the Chinese foreign investment agency and local governments are fighting for investment with each other,” he told the Financial Times.
+++++++++++++++++++
When is America going to get rid of the leeches in Washington that keep forcing businesses to flee?
2012 is coming. Wake up, people!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Reality bites!
If you are a lying leftie-liberal...
++++++++++++++++++
President Barack Obama makes it sound as if there are millionaires all over America paying taxes at lower rates than their secretaries.
“Middle-class families shouldn’t pay higher taxes than millionaires and billionaires,” Obama said Monday. “That’s pretty straightforward. It’s hard to argue against that.”
The data tell a different story. On average, the wealthiest people in America pay a lot more taxes than the middle class or the poor, according to private and government data. They pay at a higher rate, and as a group, they contribute a much larger share of the overall taxes collected by the federal government.
There may be individual millionaires who pay taxes at rates lower than middle-income workers. In 2009, 1,470 households filed tax returns with incomes above $1 million yet paid no federal income tax, according to the Internal Revenue Service. That, however, was less than 1 percent of the nearly 237,000 returns with incomes above $1 million.
++++++++++++++++++
Fact Check Pulverizes Obama’s Claim About Buffett’s Secretary
President Barack Obama makes it sound as if there are millionaires all over America paying taxes at lower rates than their secretaries.
“Middle-class families shouldn’t pay higher taxes than millionaires and billionaires,” Obama said Monday. “That’s pretty straightforward. It’s hard to argue against that.”
The data tell a different story. On average, the wealthiest people in America pay a lot more taxes than the middle class or the poor, according to private and government data. They pay at a higher rate, and as a group, they contribute a much larger share of the overall taxes collected by the federal government.
There may be individual millionaires who pay taxes at rates lower than middle-income workers. In 2009, 1,470 households filed tax returns with incomes above $1 million yet paid no federal income tax, according to the Internal Revenue Service. That, however, was less than 1 percent of the nearly 237,000 returns with incomes above $1 million.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Heard on the radio
Osama is gonna make it all better!
Tax increases on "the rich" (who else?).
More cuts to Medicaid.
Cuts to some "entitlements".
A billion in cuts "by bringing our troops home from Afghanistan".
Wow.
I already commented on the millionaire tax. OsamaCare already puts half a trillion in Medicare cuts in place, I believe. So, now it's time to cut the poor. They love him, they won't hold a grudge in the next election, right? Besides, how much you wanna bet the "cuts" don't go into effect until AFTER The Won gets re-elected?
The "billion in cuts "by bringing our troops home from Afghanistan" is simply a joke. Whatever money we have spent on Iraq, Iran, Libya, and Afghanistan so far has all been on Uncle's MasterCard at 30% APR - so any cuts here are not "savings", they just slow the growth of debt a bit.
This idiot just won't quit. I hope there's an America left for him to lose the re-election for President of in 2012.
Tax increases on "the rich" (who else?).
More cuts to Medicaid.
Cuts to some "entitlements".
A billion in cuts "by bringing our troops home from Afghanistan".
Wow.
I already commented on the millionaire tax. OsamaCare already puts half a trillion in Medicare cuts in place, I believe. So, now it's time to cut the poor. They love him, they won't hold a grudge in the next election, right? Besides, how much you wanna bet the "cuts" don't go into effect until AFTER The Won gets re-elected?
The "billion in cuts "by bringing our troops home from Afghanistan" is simply a joke. Whatever money we have spent on Iraq, Iran, Libya, and Afghanistan so far has all been on Uncle's MasterCard at 30% APR - so any cuts here are not "savings", they just slow the growth of debt a bit.
This idiot just won't quit. I hope there's an America left for him to lose the re-election for President of in 2012.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Economic fact of life
When I was still employed by a corporation, they had quarterly meetings to tell all of us how well the company was doing, and how close we were to meeting the "projected sales" and such. One factor always included was the growth rate for sales - usually 5% to 10% every year.
I always thought this was unrealistic, but never articulated it like Karl Denninger:
The company I mentioned systematically laid off engineers and factory workers, closed it's manufacturing facilities and sold the equipment to Chinese firms, and now outsources most engineering and all but a tiny bit of manufacturing to China. It's just a warehouse now, unloading container trucks from China and reloading the goods into trucks bound for big box stores.
And Osama thinks he's going to reverse the trend by pushing for "green" technology that no one wants or can afford, and taxing the very people who would be hiring for their factories if the federal government had not taxed and regulated them out of the country.
Shut down every federal bureau not explicitly authorized by the Constitution, eliminate all taxes on businesses except a sales tax and perhaps import duties, and eliminate all taxes on individuals. Then maybe we will see "Made in America" on more stuff at Wal-Mart.
I always thought this was unrealistic, but never articulated it like Karl Denninger:
The problem is that not everyone can produce more tomorrow and nobody can do so on a compounded growth rate into the indefinite future.Most American businesses project increased sales every year. How can anyone believe that there will be an ever-escalating increase in sales of any one product? Sooner or later the market gets saturated, or tastes change, or technology moves on, and sales of that old reliable product will drop off.
Consider the athlete. He runs a 4:10 mile. He might be able to improve his time by 4% or so in the next year with training, and in doing so cross the "magical" 4 minute mile barrier. But he cannot continue to improve at a rate of 4% a year forever; that is a physical impossibility.
The company I mentioned systematically laid off engineers and factory workers, closed it's manufacturing facilities and sold the equipment to Chinese firms, and now outsources most engineering and all but a tiny bit of manufacturing to China. It's just a warehouse now, unloading container trucks from China and reloading the goods into trucks bound for big box stores.
And Osama thinks he's going to reverse the trend by pushing for "green" technology that no one wants or can afford, and taxing the very people who would be hiring for their factories if the federal government had not taxed and regulated them out of the country.
Shut down every federal bureau not explicitly authorized by the Constitution, eliminate all taxes on businesses except a sales tax and perhaps import duties, and eliminate all taxes on individuals. Then maybe we will see "Made in America" on more stuff at Wal-Mart.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Another way to destroy our economy
News flash - Fox on satellite TV -
"Osama to raise taxes on millionaires"
Seeing as most "millionaires" are small business owners and family farms, this is going to have SO much impact on a struggling economy - all bad.
And at the rate the Fed is printing money, pretty soon we ALL will be "millionaires", and that tax rate will get us, too.
Those of us who still have jobs, anyway.
"Osama to raise taxes on millionaires"
Seeing as most "millionaires" are small business owners and family farms, this is going to have SO much impact on a struggling economy - all bad.
And at the rate the Fed is printing money, pretty soon we ALL will be "millionaires", and that tax rate will get us, too.
Those of us who still have jobs, anyway.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Herman Cain's tax plan
Just got an email from his campaign. He advocates a "9-9-9 Plan", as follows:
A 9% tax on personal income retains the immense, immoral, and intrusive IRS, probably still forces businesses to do payroll deductions, and maintains the government's nose into your bank account, lest your kid's lemonade stand produce an untaxed profit. So, let's really save some gelt and eliminate the IRS along with the 9% personal tax.
This is going to require a Constitutional amendment outlawing any tax except a 10% national sales tax. This directly follows the health of the economy, and rewards government for reducing bad laws and regulations that stifle business and drive it overseas.
To prevent states and localities from adding taxes, the amendment would also require a 90% vote of all ELIGIBLE voters in an area or state to vote to temporarily raise the rate by no more than 5%, with a mandatory sunset date of no later than two years. To raise the federal rate would require a 90% vote of all ELIGIBLE US voters, with similar limits. If the "crisis" is dire enough, it ought to be possible to get the required numbers. No more simple majority or percentage of votes CAST.
To take care of everyday emergencies and "crises" such as hurricanes and earthquakes, 5% of the total tax collected each year would be placed into some sort of national savings account, managed by the same principles as successful large investment funds.
No borrowing allowed at the federal level without the consent of 90% of the eligible voters, as with tax increases. Interest to be paid from the tax income before funds are released to the government for operating expenses, not kicked down the road.
One other issue - revoke the right of public employees to unionize, including the USPS. Let any existing union employee retire with pension limited to a proportional share of whatever actually exists in the pension funds - if they have been raided by unions or governments, the retiree would know exactly where to focus their wrath. If you work for the people, you accept the wage the people are willing to pay you - or learn a valuable skill and get a job elsewhere.
I believe the government - federal, state, and local - should be capable of operating just fine on no more 10% of corporate sales of merchandise in the USA. Have every corporate seller of goods or services add 10% to the price of their product or service, which the purchaser pays. Every seller - wholesalers, retailers, every entity running as a corporate "person". No other taxes at all - no excise taxes, no hazardous waste fees, no surcharges, nothing. For damn sure, no "estate" taxes! Compliance ensured by spot checks of corporate books, with a penalty of 200% for cheating. I suppose we could keep part of the IRS for this purpose. Anyone operating as a sole proprietor would be exempt.
States would receive a 2% share of the federal sales tax based on the amount of tax collected in that state. They could divvy up that income as they and their citizens see fit.
If the citizens of a state or city can muster 90% of the people to support it, they could have a higher rate applied in their area, and the market could decide if whatever they offer is worth the extra tax expense.
The result? Governments forced to live within their means. True emergencies taken care of with a savings account like high school home economics classes used to recommend. An end to the government snooping into the lives of private citizens. Huge savings in government expenses by eliminating the thousands of tax collectors and their bureaucracies.
I'm sure you readers can pick holes in this - comments welcome!
The plan begins with restructuring the tax code to include the broadest possible base at the lowest possible rate. The elements are:It's a step in the right direction, but ANY corporate or business taxes are simply carried over into the cost of doing business, and so into the price people pay for goods and services. So, let's remove the 9% corporate flat tax.
• A 9% corporate flat tax. Businesses would deduct purchases from other businesses and all capital investment. The resulting gross income is taxed at 9%.
• A 9% personal flat tax. Individuals would deduct charitable contributions, then pay 9% on the rest of their income. Capital gains are excluded.
• A 9% national sales tax. This levy would be placed on the consumption of all new goods. Used goods purchased would be excluded.
My plan would also permanently eliminate taxes on repatriated profits, as well as payroll taxes and the estate tax.
A 9% tax on personal income retains the immense, immoral, and intrusive IRS, probably still forces businesses to do payroll deductions, and maintains the government's nose into your bank account, lest your kid's lemonade stand produce an untaxed profit. So, let's really save some gelt and eliminate the IRS along with the 9% personal tax.
This is going to require a Constitutional amendment outlawing any tax except a 10% national sales tax. This directly follows the health of the economy, and rewards government for reducing bad laws and regulations that stifle business and drive it overseas.
To prevent states and localities from adding taxes, the amendment would also require a 90% vote of all ELIGIBLE voters in an area or state to vote to temporarily raise the rate by no more than 5%, with a mandatory sunset date of no later than two years. To raise the federal rate would require a 90% vote of all ELIGIBLE US voters, with similar limits. If the "crisis" is dire enough, it ought to be possible to get the required numbers. No more simple majority or percentage of votes CAST.
To take care of everyday emergencies and "crises" such as hurricanes and earthquakes, 5% of the total tax collected each year would be placed into some sort of national savings account, managed by the same principles as successful large investment funds.
No borrowing allowed at the federal level without the consent of 90% of the eligible voters, as with tax increases. Interest to be paid from the tax income before funds are released to the government for operating expenses, not kicked down the road.
One other issue - revoke the right of public employees to unionize, including the USPS. Let any existing union employee retire with pension limited to a proportional share of whatever actually exists in the pension funds - if they have been raided by unions or governments, the retiree would know exactly where to focus their wrath. If you work for the people, you accept the wage the people are willing to pay you - or learn a valuable skill and get a job elsewhere.
I believe the government - federal, state, and local - should be capable of operating just fine on no more 10% of corporate sales of merchandise in the USA. Have every corporate seller of goods or services add 10% to the price of their product or service, which the purchaser pays. Every seller - wholesalers, retailers, every entity running as a corporate "person". No other taxes at all - no excise taxes, no hazardous waste fees, no surcharges, nothing. For damn sure, no "estate" taxes! Compliance ensured by spot checks of corporate books, with a penalty of 200% for cheating. I suppose we could keep part of the IRS for this purpose. Anyone operating as a sole proprietor would be exempt.
States would receive a 2% share of the federal sales tax based on the amount of tax collected in that state. They could divvy up that income as they and their citizens see fit.
If the citizens of a state or city can muster 90% of the people to support it, they could have a higher rate applied in their area, and the market could decide if whatever they offer is worth the extra tax expense.
The result? Governments forced to live within their means. True emergencies taken care of with a savings account like high school home economics classes used to recommend. An end to the government snooping into the lives of private citizens. Huge savings in government expenses by eliminating the thousands of tax collectors and their bureaucracies.
I'm sure you readers can pick holes in this - comments welcome!
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