TAX TIME!

[LXA SE285]

Alabama has a wonderful "use tax"—a way that they stick you at tax time for stuff you bought in the previous year that you didn't pay state sales tax on (primarily Web purchases).

[kstar]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Are you sure about that?

Some states tax more than others. For example, Californians pay very similar taxes to Washingtonians, but the former pay income taxes on top of it. And in states with no income tax, still your overall taxes would depend on what you purchase/own...for example, someone that rents an apartment (therefore no property tax) and takes public transportation to work (fewer gas taxes), AND has no state income tax, would probably pay far less in taxes in the end.

Some states are more efficient than others with their dollars, or they have different philosophies for how money should be raised/spent.

You're in TX, right? Your property taxes are so high that they add up to more than my state income tax and my property tax. Plus, while you don't pay sale tax on food, it is made up for by higher sales taxes on other items.

Also, you think that is you rent that you aren't paying property taxes? While you aren't filing them or writing the check, your rent is inflated so that the landlord is still making a profit on the property. Bus ticket prices go up as cost of fuel increases, though since bus lines are usually subsidized, they really don't have to worry about raising prices until gas jumps significantly.

Also, this person that your talking about that doesn't own a house and doesn't own a car, probably doesn't have enough income to qualify to have to pay state (OK) income taxes anyways.

[Kevin]

Oklahoma = lowest tax burden as a percentage of income in the nation.

-- of course, that is probably because most of us don't qualify for the higher brackets.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by kstar

You're in TX, right? Your property taxes are so high that they add up to more than my state income tax and my property tax. Plus, while you don't pay sale tax on food, it is made up for by higher sales taxes on other items.

Also, you think that is you rent that you aren't paying property taxes? While you aren't filing them or writing the check, your rent is inflated so that the landlord is still making a profit on the property. Bus ticket prices go up as cost of fuel increases, though since bus lines are usually subsidized, they really don't have to worry about raising prices until gas jumps significantly.

Also, this person that your talking about that doesn't own a house and doesn't own a car, probably doesn't have enough income to qualify to have to pay state income taxes anyways.

First of all, I do NOT live in Texas. No offense to the Texans on this board.

There are many people in metropolitan areas that live in apartments and ride public transportation to work. It doesn't mean they don't own a car; they just drive their car less often, and probably just don't like sitting in traffic and paying for expensive daily parking. So I'm not sure where you get this idea that people who don't own homes and choose not to own cars or drive them to work every day don't make much money. Try telling that to New Yorkers, or San Franciscans, or Seattlites.

I happen to live in Washington - Seattle area to be more specific - a state that overall just has a higher cost of living. I live in an apartment, because it costs a fortune to buy a house here and it's not easy for most single people to do. I do own a car, but I used to park it every day and ride the Express bus to work because I didn't like sitting in traffic and paying $21 a day to park in my office tower. Now that I've changed jobs, I'm back to driving my hour-or-so commute. This state has the highest gas taxes in the country, which for me makes a difference but for those who take the bus/train, it doesn't mean as much. Our sales tax is higher than average, and according to this chart, our property taxes aren't crazy either.

What I'm saying is that clearly people in certain states are taxed more than others...all is not fair in love and taxes.

ETA: I forgot about another tax my state collects, but most people don't have to pay it - Tobacco tax. Washington's is one of the highest. But again, it's another example of lifestyle choices driving your tax burden.

Here's a chart on how states rank in taxes: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...sForTaxes.aspx

[TrojanWoman]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

There are many people in metropolitan areas that live in apartments and ride public transportation to work. It doesn't mean they don't own a car; they just drive their car less often, and probably just don't like sitting in traffic and paying for expensive daily parking. So I'm not sure where you get this idea that people who don't own homes and choose not to own cars or drive them to work every day don't make much money. Try telling that to New Yorkers, or San Franciscans, or Seattlites.

Seriously! There happens to be a bus stop in front of my apartment and drops me off in front of the hospital I work at. Now that gas prices are over $4 here in Crazytown, I am definitely taking the bus to work and paying $.50 each way. $1 a day is definitely better that $4.11 a gallon. And I can assure you that I definitely make enough money to pay taxes!

[DolphinChicaDDD]

I am super annoyed with the procrastinators. The main post office across the street from my apt complex is open until midnight. I sat for 15 minutes to get to my apartment because everyone is in line to get their taxes in time. I don't think I can leave for fear that I can't get back in. Half the lanes are closed and police are directing traffic. Its insane.

[SWTXBelle]

Ummm . . . have they heard of e-filing?

[SWTXBelle]

According to my divorce decree, I get to claim daughter #2. She is now living with deadbeat dad. Has deadbeat dad's lawyer bothered to get this changed? No. So I'm claiming her - ha ha ha ha!

[LucyKKG]

I filed my own taxes earlier today! Yay! I mean...it was only a W-2 on a 1040 form...I think. Lol I was super confused. I had to call my mom to figure some stuff out. I think I'm getting $30 back. Yes!

[kstar]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

First of all, I do NOT live in Texas. No offense to the Texans on this board.

There are many people in metropolitan areas that live in apartments and ride public transportation to work. It doesn't mean they don't own a car; they just drive their car less often, and probably just don't like sitting in traffic and paying for expensive daily parking. So I'm not sure where you get this idea that people who don't own homes and choose not to own cars or drive them to work every day don't make much money. Try telling that to New Yorkers, or San Franciscans, or Seattlites.

I happen to live in Washington - Seattle area to be more specific - a state that overall just has a higher cost of living. I live in an apartment, because it costs a fortune to buy a house here and it's not easy for most single people to do. I do own a car, but I used to park it every day and ride the Express bus to work because I didn't like sitting in traffic and paying $21 a day to park in my office tower. Now that I've changed jobs, I'm back to driving my hour-or-so commute. This state has the highest gas taxes in the country, which for me makes a difference but for those who take the bus/train, it doesn't mean as much. Our sales tax is higher than average, and according to this chart, our property taxes aren't crazy either.

What I'm saying is that clearly people in certain states are taxed more than others...all is not fair in love and taxes.

ETA: I forgot about another tax my state collects, but most people don't have to pay it - Tobacco tax. Washington's is one of the highest. But again, it's another example of lifestyle choices driving your tax burden.

Here's a chart on how states rank in taxes: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...sForTaxes.aspx

Sorry, for some reason I thought you were in Texas.

But, the point I was trying to make was that people that don't have a car or house here, in OK, where we do pay income tax, most likely do not have a high enough income to have to file taxes.

The people in major metropolitan areas pay for their property taxes through their extremely high rents, and they pay the rest through the higher sales taxes. Income tax seems like a lot when you have to write the check, but when I added up the entirety of sales tax, it was so much more. All I'm saying is that even without income tax, you're still paying that tax somewhere, it's just called something different.

[icelandelf]

I.hate.income.tax. I owe quite a hefty amount, despite the fact that I get a large amount pulled anyway and have tax deferred annuities. The entire stimulus check I'll receive will go right back to paying off this year's taxes.

[bejazd]

Done. Filed. Paid up. Don't ask me for any more $. You've sucked all the blood out of this rock!

Just kidding. I'm happy to pay my fair share to live in the best country in the world. It just smarts a little on April 15.

I was amused by all the celebs they were railing on yesterday for not paying their taxes- Wesley Snipes, Dionne Warwick, Nicholas Cage...Nicholas Cage? Nick why didn't you pay your taxes??? gag. more reasons not to pay too much attention to the Hollywood types. Buck up and pay, people.

[Tom Earp]

Filed the very last moment. Paying the Fed Govt. $368 but hope I get the big $300 check back that I am going to be putting in the bank to pay for gas and food.

[aggieAXO]

I am thinking I would rather pay a state income tax than a property tax. I was looking into buying a condo and the property taxes are outrageous-7000$ a year-that adds about 600$ per month to my mortgage-dayum!

[summer_gphib]

I love taxes. But I'm glad tax season is over. This was a really slow year for me, so I'm relocating my office this fall. I've got to pack up everything and move it into storage until I find a new office space to rent. But for now I'm going to spend the next few weeks getting rest and relaxation.