AHHHHH... America the Beautiful... Well maybe the scenery is...

[LHofsdal]

Hello Everyone,

Gotta Love being in the good 'ol USA. Just did my taxes, not to happy about it right now.

At the end of last year I retired. Put my 21 years in with the same company and my husband and I thought financialy it would be for the best. (Ever since we go married in 1996 we have paid in at tax time more than some people make in a year.) I don't collect any type of retirement because I am only 40. Thought maybe we would not have to pay so much in taxes this year. Was I wrong. Still had to pay more than some people make in a year, on top of the 22 grand we paid in for payroll taxes that were taken from out paychecks every pay period. So now I am mad, furious to be honest. For cryin' out loud, I know so many people that are getting back much more then they paid in, which to me isn't right. I don't begrudge them the money, but it isn't right to me.

I decide to make a cup of tea and read the paper. MISTAKE! As I am reading I find out that NY State has a "FAT TAX". (What the hell is that?) This taxes is put on any soda that is not a diet soda. 10 cents per bottle no matter the size. (Man, I was getting hotter and hotter reading this paper.) Then the next paragraph in the story talks about another 1 dollar tax being added to cigarettes. (Are your freakin' kidding me?!?!) So now people in NY State are paying over 4 dollars in taxes per pack which cigarettes are now over 8 dollars a pack.

So now I come here and start reading the threads. Only to find out that we can no longer us MC and I am sure Visa will do the same thing. I mean what the hell people, between land/school taxes and income taxes my hubby and I paid in almost 33% of our income just for damn taxes. Now the freakin government is telling me how I can spend my own money. I thought this was a free country.

I mean really, I live 20 minutes from a reservation casino, here in Upstate NY, so if I take my debit card/mastercard in there and take money out of the ATM, and gamble, did mastercard not fund this transaction? No I did, because it is my debit card with a mastercard logo on it. So what is the difference if I want to gamble naked in the comfort of my own home and use my debit card/mastercard. It is my money in the account and I want to gamble. Who the hell are they (government) to tell me I can't. What a bunch of BS, but hey lets bail the banks out who will still give out millions in bonus to the bunch of greedy assholes that put this country in a serious recession.

But I tell you this, my hubby jokingly said, lets pack up and go to England. I am not joking when I say "I am going to Walmart to get the FOR SALE signs for the houses." I am ready to sell everything and get the hell out of the USA!!!

Thank you all for letting me rant. Off to Walmart.
LH

 

[slotjunkie]

Hello Everyone,

Gotta Love being in the good 'ol USA. Just did my taxes, not to happy about it right now.

At the end of last year I retired. Put my 21 years in with the same company and my husband and I thought financialy it would be for the best. (Ever since we go married in 1996 we have paid in at tax time more than some people make in a year.) I don't collect any type of retirement because I am only 40. Thought maybe we would not have to pay so much in taxes this year. Was I wrong. Still had to pay more than some people make in a year, on top of the 22 grand we paid in for payroll taxes that were taken from out paychecks every pay period. So now I am mad, furious to be honest. For cryin' out loud, I know so many people that are getting back much more then they paid in, which to me isn't right. I don't begrudge them the money, but it isn't right to me.

I decide to make a cup of tea and read the paper. MISTAKE! As I am reading I find out that NY State has a "FAT TAX". (What the hell is that?) This taxes is put on any soda that is not a diet soda. 10 cents per bottle no matter the size. (Man, I was getting hotter and hotter reading this paper.) Then the next paragraph in the story talks about another 1 dollar tax being added to cigarettes. (Are your freakin' kidding me?!?!) So now people in NY State are paying over 4 dollars in taxes per pack which cigarettes are now over 8 dollars a pack.

So now I come here and start reading the threads. Only to find out that we can no longer us MC and I am sure Visa will do the same thing. I mean what the hell people, between land/school taxes and income taxes my hubby and I paid in almost 33% of our income just for damn taxes. Now the freakin government is telling me how I can spend my own money. I thought this was a free country.

I mean really, I live 20 minutes from a reservation casino, here in Upstate NY, so if I take my debit card/mastercard in there and take money out of the ATM, and gamble, did mastercard not fund this transaction? No I did, because it is my debit card with a mastercard logo on it. So what is the difference if I want to gamble naked in the comfort of my own home and use my debit card/mastercard. It is my money in the account and I want to gamble. Who the hell are they (government) to tell me I can't. What a bunch of BS, but hey lets bail the banks out who will still give out millions in bonus to the bunch of greedy assholes that put this country in a serious recession.

But I tell you this, my hubby jokingly said, lets pack up and go to England. I am not joking when I say "I am going to Walmart to get the FOR SALE signs for the houses." I am ready to sell everything and get the hell out of the USA!!!

Thank you all for letting me rant. Off to Walmart.
LH

Isn't it just sickening! I was talking to a friend of mine who's nephew is in I believe Kuwait. Anyway, him and his family says they will never live in the USA again. They say it is a huge difference in the way the government treat their people there compared to here! He said, you feel like they truly care about you as a human being!
I could be wrong on the location, I just know it isn't what we call AMERICA the GREAT/ AMERICA the BEAUTIFUL! More like America the fake/America the Pitiful!

 

[jelsmith]

Hello Everyone,

Gotta Love being in the good 'ol USA. Just did my taxes, not to happy about it right now.

At the end of last year I retired. Put my 21 years in with the same company and my husband and I thought financialy it would be for the best. (Ever since we go married in 1996 we have paid in at tax time more than some people make in a year.) I don't collect any type of retirement because I am only 40. Thought maybe we would not have to pay so much in taxes this year. Was I wrong. Still had to pay more than some people make in a year, on top of the 22 grand we paid in for payroll taxes that were taken from out paychecks every pay period. So now I am mad, furious to be honest. For cryin' out loud, I know so many people that are getting back much more then they paid in, which to me isn't right. I don't begrudge them the money, but it isn't right to me.

I decide to make a cup of tea and read the paper. MISTAKE! As I am reading I find out that NY State has a "FAT TAX". (What the hell is that?) This taxes is put on any soda that is not a diet soda. 10 cents per bottle no matter the size. (Man, I was getting hotter and hotter reading this paper.) Then the next paragraph in the story talks about another 1 dollar tax being added to cigarettes. (Are your freakin' kidding me?!?!) So now people in NY State are paying over 4 dollars in taxes per pack which cigarettes are now over 8 dollars a pack.

So now I come here and start reading the threads. Only to find out that we can no longer us MC and I am sure Visa will do the same thing. I mean what the hell people, between land/school taxes and income taxes my hubby and I paid in almost 33% of our income just for damn taxes. Now the freakin government is telling me how I can spend my own money. I thought this was a free country.

I mean really, I live 20 minutes from a reservation casino, here in Upstate NY, so if I take my debit card/mastercard in there and take money out of the ATM, and gamble, did mastercard not fund this transaction? No I did, because it is my debit card with a mastercard logo on it. So what is the difference if I want to gamble naked in the comfort of my own home and use my debit card/mastercard. It is my money in the account and I want to gamble. Who the hell are they (government) to tell me I can't. What a bunch of BS, but hey lets bail the banks out who will still give out millions in bonus to the bunch of greedy assholes that put this country in a serious recession.

But I tell you this, my hubby jokingly said, lets pack up and go to England. I am not joking when I say "I am going to Walmart to get the FOR SALE signs for the houses." I am ready to sell everything and get the hell out of the USA!!!

Thank you all for letting me rant. Off to Walmart.
LH

I agree....I used to live in Upstate NY and the cost of cigs is I have since moved to the TN where its cheaper....I wish I could pick up and move to a truly FREE country

 

[cpdnd31]

I live in Chicago, Ciggs are 890 a pack, and there going up again food tax 10.4 percent.. Bottled water tax, candy tax, liquor tax just went up. Groceries for the month over 500.00 spent. gas for car you dont want to know there are 3 diff taxes on that. Oh here is the best part... if you work for the city you have to live in the city,, do you know what a small 3 bedroom home starts at in the city over 300,000. taxes for real estate just went up too. I give up. After paying for schools, groceries i need a cigerette and a good bottle of wine. Oh and now that all the taxes have gone up our good old mayor Daley has decided the city needs to save more so we as city workers have to give up 45 paid days a year. I will be buying tickets to England with you, well share a house if you dont mind living with 2 kids lol. Its scary as hell. What kind of future has been left for my kids to clean up. Hey for those political spies that may be reading this, online gambling is the least of your worries.. thanks needed to blow the steam off just opened a 17000.00 real estate tax bill...hope that makes your day feel better

 

[Simmo!]

But I tell you this, my hubby jokingly said, lets pack up and go to England.

Yeah it's much better here. The sun comes out for a couple of weeks around May, the upper tax band is 50% and ciggies are 6 ($10) a packet.

But at least our Government treat us as adults when it comes to gambling, so it's not all bad I suppose LOL.

 

[Roanan]

What a bunch of BS, but hey lets bail the banks out who will still give out millions in bonus to the bunch of greedy assholes that put this country in a serious recession...


...Off to Walmart....

**sigh**

Running off to Wal-Mart (and any other box or chain store) and giving them your money just so they can suck it all out of the community, along with good paying jobs, and stick it the pocket of their shareholders?


I guess you aren't realizing that people like YOU are actually responsible for the recession.

 

[Stovetopp]

This thread should never have been started It makes my blood boil!

However we are all to blame
1. We vote for AH who tells us that we will add 30 MILLION folks free to to the health care program and we will reduce the deficit Who are the morons who believe this?
2.We have AH who send in their jewelery to cash4 gold and get a check for 6 cents....When they ask back for their jewelery they are told its already melted all 6 cents worth Who are these folks? Geesh! Now we have those guys in Washington passing laws to avoid this situation

3 This cigarette tax is self defeating! The more they tax the less folks smoke thus denying the much needed income they so desperatelky need
TQahey say in the long run it saves them health care costs....Who the F believes this?

I could go on and on but am lazy here puffing away at my 6:50/pack marlboro lights

 

[suzecat]

Just paid $3.47/pack for ciggies ... from (makes good sense to me) the Indians! America is a great country ........ the Indians have legal gambling and legal tobacco .......... gotta be some kinda Karma at work there!

 

[LHofsdal]

Ronan,

Here in the small town I live we only have a Walmart. I didn't cause this recession, with gas being 3.01 a gallon do you think I would drive 35 miles to the closest city to buy a 62 cent sign? Please....

LH

 

[LHofsdal]

I live in Chicago, thanks needed to blow the steam off just opened a 17000.00 real estate tax bill...hope that makes your day feel better

CPDND31-No it doesn't make my day better. You pay those taxes for what to hear that city workers need to take 45 days off. What a bunch of BS. We received a notice that our taxes are going up again this year, this will be the 3rd year in a row now.

This thread should never have been started It makes my blood boil!

However we are all to blame
1. We vote for AH who tells us that we will add 30 MILLION folks free to to the health care program and we will reduce the deficit Who are the morons who believe this?
2.We have AH who send in their jewelery to cash4 gold and get a check for 6 cents....When they ask back for their jewelery they are told its already melted all 6 cents worth Who are these folks? Geesh! Now we have those guys in Washington passing laws to avoid this situation

3 This cigarette tax is self defeating! The more they tax the less folks smoke thus denying the much needed income they so desperatelky need
TQahey say in the long run it saves them health care costs....Who the F believes this?

I could go on and on but am lazy here puffing away at my 6:50/pack marlboro lights

StoveTopp-Yes, Maybe we are all to blame, but I will say that I was not kidding when I said I was going to get FOR SALE signs for our properties. I did buy them will put them up tomorrow.

I am Puerto Rican and I keep telling my hubby that I should claim my minority status and live like a queen on the system like so many other people. I would have free housing, free rides to the doctors, grocery store, etc. free health care, free food. But dang it, I am just to proud. I can not bring myself to do it. But... you never know I might just get pissed off enough to do it. LOL

LH

 

[winbig]

I decide to make a cup of tea and read the paper. MISTAKE! As I am reading I find out that NY State has a "FAT TAX". (What the hell is that?) This taxes is put on any soda that is not a diet soda.

Philadelphia is following the same line. They just proposed a tax on ALL drinks that have sugar in them. This doesn't include coffee, I guess because you have to add the sugar yourself.

Pennsylavania is also absurd with their cigarette taxes. I used to buy those little cigars for $.99 a pack 2 years ago. Now they're over $3 a pack. This is PURE TAX. I know for a fact that the manufacturer didn't raise their prices, because I'm now buying them online for $11 a carton. The price of regular cigarettes has also doubled in the past two years, as well. Regular cigarettes are, on average, $6-$7 a pack.

But anyways, they seem to think that this is the cure for their $100M+ deficit (so far) this year.

If they wanted to have a "SIN" tax, then they should start taxing the hell out of ALCOHOL as well, but they're leaving that alone for some reason.

Don't bother with the sign. Unless you know someone high up in another country, or you're not someone special, they won't take American immigrants. I wonder why.

BTW, who tagged this thread "whiney Americans?" If you don't like us complaining (about legitimate problems), then don't read ATB.

edit: Check and see where your state ranks in regards to cigarette taxes @

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NJ tops the list at $2.575 a PACK.

 

[LaurieJim]

I agree....I used to live in Upstate NY and the cost of cigs is I have since moved to the TN where its cheaper....I wish I could pick up and move to a truly FREE country

I went out and bought 4 packs for me and 2 for Jim, he is a very light smoker 4 named brands and 2 cheaper ones = cost: 18.20 , i could never imagine paying 5.00 or better for smokes, id have to quit..............laurie

 

[Roanan]

Ronan,

Here in the small town I live we only have a Walmart. I didn't cause this recession, with gas being 3.01 a gallon do you think I would drive 35 miles to the closest city to buy a 62 cent sign? Please....

LH

The reason your town only has a Wal-Mart is because you chose to shop there when it was built, instead of patronizing your local independent businesses.

Your (false) belief that you MIGHT save a nickel cost you every independent business in town, and now you have no choice.

Perhaps you should read

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.

In less than two decades, large retail chains have become the most powerful corporations in America. In this deft and revealing book, Stacy Mitchell illustrates how mega-retailers are fueling many of our most pressing problems, from the shrinking middle class to rising pollution and diminished civic engagementand she shows how a growing number of communities and independent businesses are effectively fighting back.

 

[LHofsdal]

Winbig,

Atleast you can buy the smokes online and it is legal. It is illegal here in NY to buy smokes on line. You can buy porn but you can't buy smokes or gamble if you want to... go figure.

LH

 

[LHofsdal]

The reason your town only has a Wal-Mart is because you chose to shop there when it was built, instead of patronizing your local independent businesses.

Your (false) belief that you MIGHT save a nickel cost you every independent business in town, and now you have no choice.

Perhaps you should read

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

.

In less than two decades, large retail chains have become the most powerful corporations in America. In this deft and revealing book, Stacy Mitchell illustrates how mega-retailers are fueling many of our most pressing problems, from the shrinking middle class to rising pollution and diminished civic engagementand she shows how a growing number of communities and independent businesses are effectively fighting back.

Well Ronan, I have to disagree here, I just moved to this town 3 years ago, I lived in Lower Manhatten for most of my life. I wasn't here when the Walmart was built. When I live in NYC we only had little mom and pop shops, which we shopped at. Do I shop at Walmart now, sometimes yes because with gas being the way it is I am not going to waste gas for inexpensive items like a FOR SALE sign. In this town we have 2 gas stations 1 locally owned grocery store which was just bought out by a larger company, and Walmart. Walmart employees alot of people in my community so I yeah if I shop there I am in a way supporting my community. I am ensuring these people have a job.

LH

 

[love2winalot]

I know so many people that are getting back much more then they paid in

Hiya: I do not know about coporations or such, but i do not see how you can get back as Example $7000 on a tax return, if all you paid in taxes was $5000?

But i regress, I agree with the statement that America the Free, is a theroy, and not actually put into practice in a lot of cases. "Hey Jerk a Lot, If you don't like it, Leave".............Well as most of you know, I am Leaving in a couple 3 months.

To me it is funny. When people in other parts of the world, talk bad about their government restrictions, we are the first to say, "Good for you, exersise your freedom of speech, and so on" But when we talk bad about our own country restictions, people say you are not patriotic, and u american, and so on.....

imhop, If you have a way to have an income, being an American, and living overseas can be a lot better. No matter what, it is different, and give an take, and you give up a lot, in exchange for a little more. But for some of us, that Little more is more valuable than the Lot we gave up......

At the rate things are going to fund our Casino accounts, it is coming down to, Stuff an envolope full of money, and mail it to Country xyz, and Casino wxc, and wait for the e mail receipt, and then you can play.....hehehe

 

[winbig]

but i do not see how you can get back as Example $7000 on a tax return, if all you paid in taxes was $5000?

It's easy for individuals with the EITC (Earned income tax credit.)

Say you have 3 children and only made between $12,600 and $21,450 for 2009. You'd get the max credit, which is $5,657, which accounts for between 26.3% and 44.8% additional income, just for the joy of having kids. Note that this is cash money, and not simply a "credit" that will lower your taxable income level.

edit: Even if you only have one child, the max amount you can get is $3,043 and two children is $5,028

edit2: Everyone that falls within the income limits can claim this free money every year when filing taxes. If you don't have kids - no problem - you just won't get as much.

 

[cynthial]

Ahhhh, that old Earned Income Credit is not the only giveaway this year but it is still a doozey and is going to be enlarged next year. We also have the Child Tax Credit which is slated to double for next year ( children must be under 17 to qualify the parent for the credit ) and the Making Work Pay credit which has one more year to run.

In the return below which I prepared for one of the guys I work with he only had $10 withheld from his check for Federal Income Tax. (He goes exempt on the W-4) but thanks to all the credits he got back a whopping $9055 today. On his State return he is getting back $555 and paid in $5.67. The Making Work Pay credit is $400 for him and another $400 for his wife although she does not work. Well, not above table anyway.

Oh, and the kids don't even live with he and his wife. They live with the wife's Mum. That is the new American Way.

 

[winbig]

Do you realize that you were an accessory to fraud by completing his return and claiming the EIC when in fact he wasn't eligible for it?

The children have to live with the parent/guardian that claims them for 6 or months out of the year...

Residency Test

Your child must have lived with you in the United States for more than half of the year.

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[LaurieJim]

Ahhhh, that old Earned Income Credit is not the only giveaway this year but it is still a doozey and is going to be enlarged next year. We also have the Child Tax Credit which is slated to double for next year ( children must be under 17 to qualify the parent for the credit ) and the Making Work Pay credit which has one more year to run.

In the return below which I prepared for one of the guys I work with he only had $10 withheld from his check for Federal Income Tax. (He goes exempt on the W-4) but thanks to all the credits he got back a whopping $9055 today. On his State return he is getting back $555 and paid in $5.67. The Making Work Pay credit is $400 for him and another $400 for his wife although she does not work. Well, not above table anyway.

Oh, and the kids don't even live with he and his wife. They live with the wife's Mum. That is the new American Way.

Doesnt it just make you want to throw up your hands and say i give up!!!!!! I had an employee last year that got just about the same, gets it every year and even brags about it, while i keep praying the housing market will pick back up so i can keep my business afloat, it just doesnt seem fair sometimes for the small business owner..................laurie

 

[winbig]

Do you realize that you were an accessory to fraud by completing his return and claiming the EIC when in fact he wasn't eligible for it?

The children have to live with the parent/guardian that claims them for 6 or months out of the year...

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...not only for the EIC that they weren't entitled to, but also for $10,000 worth of deductions (3 kids) that he can't claim.............

 

[cynthial]

Thanks for the warning but I was just the typist. He had a soft copy filled in and only needed it input electronically. I am not a paid preparer and I did not sign or advise him. I figure they have an arrangement with the kids and Grandma but I am not privy to it. It did make my stomach hurt when I saw what he was getting.

 

[winbig]

Thanks for the warning but I was just the typist. He had a soft copy filled in and only needed it input electronically. I am not a paid preparer and I did not sign or advise him. I figure they have an arrangement with the kids and Grandma but I am not privy to it. It did make my stomach hurt when I saw what he was getting.

You should be ok then

I dunno, but if I were you, I'd report him....It makes my stomach churn to see people doing this.

 

[kauphy]

It's easy for individuals with the EITC (Earned income tax credit.)

Say you have 3 children and only made between $12,600 and $21,450 for 2009. You'd get the max credit, which is $5,657, which accounts for between 26.3% and 44.8% additional income, just for the joy of having kids. Note that this is cash money, and not simply a "credit" that will lower your taxable income level.

edit: Even if you only have one child, the max amount you can get is $3,043 and two children is $5,028

edit2: Everyone that falls within the income limits can claim this free money every year when filing taxes. If you don't have kids - no problem - you just won't get as much.

you know not to get any of you pissed off at me but my ex lifted me with 3 kids and i got nothing from him at all. and they were all young when he choose to leave caz he had a drinking promble and i did,nt like it. i worked my ass off to make sure my kids had clothes and shoes to go to school and yes when i filed for my taxs i got to count my kids and got that credit that winbig is talking about and it helped alot to take some of the stress off of me as to how i was going to pay my rent and buy food. and i take offence at the words the joy of having kids you make it sound as if i had my kids just to get the tax credit. i had my kids caz i wanted my kids and yes i do put out more in money a month then someone who does not have any one but themselfs to worrie about. and i was,nt living off the state or getting any help from them just myself and my kids. so before you say just for the fun of having kids you might what to stop and think about the single person men or women who thought that they would not be alone to rise thier kids but ended up that way. that little extar credit helps alot.

 

[Simmo!]

But i regress.

Hehe. I think (rather, hope) that you mean "digress"


A lot of countries have weird and wonderful taxes and I used to get really narked at having to pay them. But as I've got older I've either got more practical, or more systemised LOL.

I still disagree with the fact that higher earners have to pay considerably more tax (22% -> 50% jump here) because it removes ambition and innovation. Or you earn more and move somewhere else I guess like most people do. However, my feelings now are:

a) that we are lucky to live in developed and civilised countries and while we all think mistakes are made by those in power, the infrastructure around us is undeniably good when compared to many other countries, even developed ones. It's worth paying for.

b) high taxes on luxury goods are a better way to go for the majority. It's as unfair in my eyes to tax people on low incomes for essentials as it is to impose high income taxes on the better off. While I smoke and gamble, I think those items are EXACTLY the ones that should be taxed higher because they are luxury items on which I have a choice. Yes, I know the USA don't give their citizens freedom to choose on things like online gambling, but they probably should and non-gamblers would benefit.

It's slightly ironic that all the people in the US calling for the ban on online gambling would probably be better off financially over time if they regulated, controlled and taxed it