Top 1% pays 50% of the taxes.

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Sep 12, 2004
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Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken


btw, the rich don't pay less in taxes in dollar value.
True. So what - they make more and should pay more. Since their very richness in the result of system in place. From an educated work force, police, to the Fed, to the courts, to everything else they use more of it and benefit more from it. Without those system in place they would be one rich guy like in Zimbabwe and everyone else because the sorta rich we would off
They already do pay more. Sure they benefit from their wealth. Many others benefit from their wealth as well. I wonder how many in this forum alone have benefitted from a guy named Bill Gates and his little company?

There are other ways to contibute monetarially to society besides getting taxed. When people become very wealthy that contribution becomes highly important so they are handled differently.

But ask yourself, at which end are they most skewed?
Only Federal income tax is progressive. All other taxes are regressive. Excise (like gas), Sales, Utility, SS, Medicaid, property, etc. and why we have a largely flat tax system already - just with a load of paper work.
Those who consume more pay more where the so-called regressive taxes are concerned. In fact, anyone that has the desire can lease some acreage, ride a bike around, farm crops and raise their own animals, and avoid much of those regressive taxes completely. In fact, they can probably get agricultural tax breaks in the process. You don't need to be wealthy to do that either.

I wouldn't even dare to say that it's the 1% end that pays 39% of the taxes in this country already

Me neither I'd say the top 1% of Federal tax payers pay 23% of federal receipts. but it's meaningless without context. How much wealth did they make relative to the other 99%? What is their percentage of all income vs. AGI vs. tax paid, is it really comparatively progressive after that?
You mean how much wealth did they make compared to the other 50%? Because the lower 50% effectively pay little to no taxes already.

As far as the rest of your ignorant asumptions about me, you are so far off base that it's not even worth addressing.

Was just an example showing how money can help someone out, relax.
[/quote]
It was a poor assumption based on a stereotype. ime, many wealthy families don't give a penny to their offspring. My own wife is one such example. Her father is worth millions and she's never gotten a penny from him. The only thing he offered to pay for was schooling. Even then it was basic books and tuition, nothing beyond that. Her brother is still working to pay off the $80K or so in student loans that he accumulated while getting his engineering degree at Ga Tech. I can cite quite a few examples of people who went from nothing to wealth as well from within my own family, not to mention some of the wealthy friends I have. They got their money through hard work, diligence, and intelligence. None of them are slackers. So this implied assumption that wealthy people really don't deserve the money they make, they're only trying to screw the little guy, and we should take more away from them and redistribute it is just crap. It's convoluted reasoning by the have nots who appear to be jealous of the haves.

btw, how many of those in here who make some bank and feel the rich should be taxed more volunteer to pay more taxes and/or don't use the tax breaks available to them? I have to wonder who is really putting their money where their mouth is?
 

Robor

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
16,979
0
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Originally posted by: winnar111
Originally posted by: Deleted member 4644

You mean the same deductions and credits that rich get, but even more? Way more?

You mean the credits that phase out?

BTW, your hero Clinton had people paying higher tax rates before Bush slashed all the brackets.

Again? I need to make a 'winnar1111 but Clinton' sig. :roll:

Most people I know lived better under Clinton. Bush, not so much.
 

nobodyknows

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2008
5,474
0
0
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!
 

kylebisme

Diamond Member
Mar 25, 2000
9,396
0
0
Originally posted by: ayabe
Originally posted by: TheSnowman
Originally posted by: ayabe
But hey I'm all for a flat tax, let's do it... we'll be broke as a joke.

how did you come up with that?

because that's where this is all leading, the rich pay too much, flat tax time. Amazingly, I only see flat tax stickers on $500 beaters.

I'd love to reconcile the crocodile tears on display in this thread with the 19,000+ %1'er assholes who conspired with UBS to defraud the IRS.

You wanna see some pitchforks, wait till the list of names is released.

The rich have far too many loopholes to get out of paying as much as they should, flat tax time. That isn't going to break anyone. And not that this is coming from someone in the top 5% percent, thanks to well invested inheritance, but that still puts my income at far less than the the swindling money grubbers at the top.
 
Sep 12, 2004
16,852
59
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Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.
 

blackangst1

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
22,902
2,359
126
Originally posted by: TheSnowman
Originally posted by: ayabe
Originally posted by: TheSnowman
Originally posted by: ayabe
But hey I'm all for a flat tax, let's do it... we'll be broke as a joke.

how did you come up with that?

because that's where this is all leading, the rich pay too much, flat tax time. Amazingly, I only see flat tax stickers on $500 beaters.

I'd love to reconcile the crocodile tears on display in this thread with the 19,000+ %1'er assholes who conspired with UBS to defraud the IRS.

You wanna see some pitchforks, wait till the list of names is released.

The rich have far too many loopholes to get out of paying as much as they should, flat tax time. That isn't going to break anyone. And not that this is coming from someone in the top 5% percent, thanks to well invested inheritance, but that still puts my income at far less than the the swindling money grubbers at the top.

As I pointed out in another thread monthsd ago, most middle class families dont utilize the loopholes available to them. Having loopholes isnt the problem. Taxes paid isnt the problem. Even if the wealthy paid 50% of their income in taxes, those in the 70th percentile would STILL bitch, The problem is class envy. When I hear the poor and middle class complain about the rich in the real world, they arent talking about how much more they should pay in taxes. They talk about the fact they have lots and those complaining have less. THAT is the problem. The fact of the matter is, if you make 5 mill/yr, and only net 2.5 mill because of taxes, guess what-people will complain you have 2.5 million. Its class envy pure and simple.
 

nobodyknows

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2008
5,474
0
0
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.

So tell me, what kind of care do these places provide?

Heart surgery?

Cancer treatment?

Knee/shoulder or other joint repair/replacement?
 

sactoking

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2007
7,635
2,897
136
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: Zebo
First of all, income tax makes up a small portion of tax receipts. All other taxes are regressive. From Sales to SS to property. Poor and middle class pay a disproportionate amount of their income relative to rich on these.
There is nothing false about it. You're just trying diversions to get out of the fact these claims the OP makes are total junk.

He's wrong on "Top 1% pays 50% of the taxes." because, Federal income taxes, which the study uses, are a small part of the overall tax burden Americans pay. You bringing up what percentage of Federal taxes recipes comes from ordinary income and capital gains, income tax, is out of context, like the OP's, with overall tax burden.

YOU said "income tax makes up a small portion of tax receipts". I have proven that to be false. The OP didn't even say what you claim he said.

What you say has merit, that income tax burden is only a portion of total tax burden and that many taxes are regressive, but you're flat out wrong about income tax.
 

blackangst1

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
22,902
2,359
126
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.

So tell me, what kind of care do these places provide?

Heart surgery?

Cancer treatment?

Knee/shoulder or other joint repair/replacement?


Seeing how the poor are the unhealthiest segment of our population, I would say there is much they can do in the way of prevention. But no. They dont care. They only care when their lifestyle choice bites them in the ass.

Now mind you, this is a very general statement, and no need to post anecdotal evidence to the contrary. But its a fact-the poor dont give a shit about taking care of them selves. They only want handouts from those they bitch about when shit goes wrong.
 

Pigiron

Junior Member
Sep 15, 2008
6
0
0
The latest data from the IRS is for tax year 2006 and can be found here http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/06instateshares.xls.

Total Income Tax Share
Top 1% (AGI Floor of $392,645) paid 39.43% of Federal Income Taxes.
Top 5% (AGI Floor of $153,869) paid 59.82% of Federal Income Taxes.
Top 10% (AGI Floor of $109,441) paid 70.45% of Federal Income Taxes.
Top 25% (AGI Floor of $65,084) paid 86.08% of Federal Income Taxes.
Top 50% (AGI Floor of $32,261) paid 96.89% of Federal Income Taxes.

Total number of returns for tax year 2006 was 133,208,934.
Top 50% (66,604,467 returns) paid 96.89% of Federal Income Taxes.
Bottom 50% (66,604,467 returns) paid 3.11% of Federal Income Taxes.
 

sactoking

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2007
7,635
2,897
136
Originally posted by: retrospooty
Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Originally posted by: retrospooty
I have heard that before... I call total BS

Show me a real verifiable link that shows the top earning 1% pays 50% of the countries income tax.

Also, show a verifiable link to the lower x percentage that pays zero tax. Also total BS
The IRS numbers are out there.

For the country as a whole the bottom 50% pay about 3% of income tax.

The top 25% pay 86% of all income taxes.

And the top 1% pay 39% of all income taxes.

BTW all those numbers went up under Bush.

Out there where? Link please? Sorry, but someone stating something on the internet or article doesnt make it true. Show me legit data or STFU !

There is no way that the bottom 50% of the people pay 3% of the tax. BS, thats fuxxy math at its finest.

Link

All Returns: Tax Liability, Tax Credits, and Tax Payments in Constant 1990 Dollars by Size of Real Adjusted Gross Income, Adjusted for Inflation for 2004

Look at column B- total returns filed by AGI, column AI- total returns filed by AGI that actually had tax burden, and column AJ- amount of tax paid sorted by AGI.

Do some VERY easy math in Excel and you get:
The top 4.387% of earners, by AGI ($100,00+) paid 55.443% of all income tax.
The top 53.391% of earners, by AGI ($15,000+) paid 98.685% of all income tax.
By inverse, the bottom 46.609% of earners, by AGI (<$14,999) paid 1.315% of all income tax.

These numbers only count returns filed. Since the demographic most likely to NOT file a return are those people who have extroardinarily low incomes, the numbers are actually skewed more upward than indicated.
 

nobodyknows

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2008
5,474
0
0
Originally posted by: blackangst1
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.

So tell me, what kind of care do these places provide?

Heart surgery?

Cancer treatment?

Knee/shoulder or other joint repair/replacement?


Seeing how the poor are the unhealthiest segment of our population, I would say there is much they can do in the way of prevention. But no. They dont care. They only care when their lifestyle choice bites them in the ass.

Now mind you, this is a very general statement, and no need to post anecdotal evidence to the contrary. But its a fact-the poor dont give a shit about taking care of them selves. They only want handouts from those they bitch about when shit goes wrong.

Sorry. but that's only YOUR opinion and a "handy" one at that considering you chosen view..

I know plenty of people who are working full time and can't afford health insurance. I know of people who lost everything they had because they didn't have decent health insurance or their health insurance premiums went up so high after someone got a serious illness that they couldn't afford it.
 

Budmantom

Lifer
Aug 17, 2002
13,103
1
81
Originally posted by: Robor
Originally posted by: winnar111
Originally posted by: Deleted member 4644

You mean the same deductions and credits that rich get, but even more? Way more?

You mean the credits that phase out?

BTW, your hero Clinton had people paying higher tax rates before Bush slashed all the brackets.

Again? I need to make a 'winnar1111 but Clinton' sig. :roll:

Most people I know lived better under Clinton. Bush, not so much.

I lived good under Clinton, great under Bush let's see how we do under Obama.... not looking so good.
 

blackangst1

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
22,902
2,359
126
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: blackangst1
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.

So tell me, what kind of care do these places provide?

Heart surgery?

Cancer treatment?

Knee/shoulder or other joint repair/replacement?


Seeing how the poor are the unhealthiest segment of our population, I would say there is much they can do in the way of prevention. But no. They dont care. They only care when their lifestyle choice bites them in the ass.

Now mind you, this is a very general statement, and no need to post anecdotal evidence to the contrary. But its a fact-the poor dont give a shit about taking care of them selves. They only want handouts from those they bitch about when shit goes wrong.

Sorry. but that's only YOUR opinion and a "handy" one at that considering you chosen view..

I know plenty of people who are working full time and can't afford health insurance. I know of people who lost everything they had because they didn't have decent health insurance or their health insurance premiums went up so high after someone got a serious illness that they couldn't afford it.

Did you see my statement about generalities? Re-read it please. It's a fact the poor can reduce their need for catastophic health insurance by changing their lifestyle. Health care doesnt make people healthy-lifestyle choices do.
 
Sep 12, 2004
16,852
59
86
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.

So tell me, what kind of care do these places provide?

Heart surgery?

Cancer treatment?

Knee/shoulder or other joint repair/replacement?
Of course. They get a BMW or a Mercedes as well to get around in as well. Since rich people can afford them the poor should have them too, otherwise it's just not fair. As we all know, life is always fair.
 

nobodyknows

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2008
5,474
0
0
Originally posted by: blackangst1
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: blackangst1
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.

So tell me, what kind of care do these places provide?

Heart surgery?

Cancer treatment?

Knee/shoulder or other joint repair/replacement?


Seeing how the poor are the unhealthiest segment of our population, I would say there is much they can do in the way of prevention. But no. They dont care. They only care when their lifestyle choice bites them in the ass.

Now mind you, this is a very general statement, and no need to post anecdotal evidence to the contrary. But its a fact-the poor dont give a shit about taking care of them selves. They only want handouts from those they bitch about when shit goes wrong.

Sorry. but that's only YOUR opinion and a "handy" one at that considering you chosen view..

I know plenty of people who are working full time and can't afford health insurance. I know of people who lost everything they had because they didn't have decent health insurance or their health insurance premiums went up so high after someone got a serious illness that they couldn't afford it.

Did you see my statement about generalities? Re-read it please. It's a fact the EVERYBODY can reduce their need for catastophic health insurance by changing their lifestyle. Health care doesnt make people healthy-lifestyle choices do.

Fixed.

Now do you have a point or can you answer the questions I posed to TastesLikeChickenShit? If not we're done here.
 

nobodyknows

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2008
5,474
0
0
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.

So tell me, what kind of care do these places provide?

Heart surgery?

Cancer treatment?

Knee/shoulder or other joint repair/replacement?
Of course. They get a BMW or a Mercedes as well to get around in as well. Since rich people can afford them the poor should have them too, otherwise it's just not fair. As we all know, life is always fair.

Can't answer a straight question? I didn't think so.

I plugged my town into your link and the only thing that showed up was some little "clinics" in a few of the small towns. Not one hospital.

So I guess if you need more then an xray and a bone set you SOL. Not that you gice a shit, but please keep whining about all the taxes the rich pay. I find it rather humorous.

:laugh:
 
Sep 12, 2004
16,852
59
86
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.

So tell me, what kind of care do these places provide?

Heart surgery?

Cancer treatment?

Knee/shoulder or other joint repair/replacement?
Of course. They get a BMW or a Mercedes as well to get around in as well. Since rich people can afford them the poor should have them too, otherwise it's just not fair. As we all know, life is always fair.

Can't answer a straight question? I didn't think so.

I plugged my town into your link and the only thing that showed up was some little "clinics" in a few of the small towns. Not one hospital.

So I guess if you need more then an xray and a bone set you SOL. Not that you gice a shit, but please keep whining about all the taxes the rich pay. I find it rather humorous.

:laugh:
Wow. You're about as fucking dense as they come, aren't you? I answered the question but you're just too stupid to recognize that fact.

Nor am I whining about all the taxes the rich pay. I'm addressing the ignorati like you who think the solution to our problems is taxing the shit out of them.
 

nobodyknows

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2008
5,474
0
0
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.

So tell me, what kind of care do these places provide?

Heart surgery?

Cancer treatment?

Knee/shoulder or other joint repair/replacement?
Of course. They get a BMW or a Mercedes as well to get around in as well. Since rich people can afford them the poor should have them too, otherwise it's just not fair. As we all know, life is always fair.

Can't answer a straight question? I didn't think so.

I plugged my town into your link and the only thing that showed up was some little "clinics" in a few of the small towns. Not one hospital.

So I guess if you need more then an xray and a bone set you SOL. Not that you gice a shit, but please keep whining about all the taxes the rich pay. I find it rather humorous.

:laugh:
Wow. You're about as fucking dense as they come, aren't you?

I has all your bases, so eat shit and die.

 

kylebisme

Diamond Member
Mar 25, 2000
9,396
0
0
Originally posted by: blackangst1
Originally posted by: TheSnowman
The rich have far too many loopholes to get out of paying as much as they should, flat tax time. That isn't going to break anyone. And not that this is coming from someone in the top 5% percent, thanks to well invested inheritance, but that still puts my income at far less than the the swindling money grubbers at the top.

As I pointed out in another thread monthsd ago, most middle class families dont utilize the loopholes available to them. Having loopholes isnt the problem. Taxes paid isnt the problem. Even if the wealthy paid 50% of their income in taxes, those in the 70th percentile would STILL bitch, The problem is class envy. When I hear the poor and middle class complain about the rich in the real world, they arent talking about how much more they should pay in taxes. They talk about the fact they have lots and those complaining have less. THAT is the problem. The fact of the matter is, if you make 5 mill/yr, and only net 2.5 mill because of taxes, guess what-people will complain you have 2.5 million. Its class envy pure and simple.

You can't see the problem because you have you head in the sand pointing your finger at others rather than addressing my comments.
 

blackangst1

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
22,902
2,359
126
Originally posted by: TheSnowman
Originally posted by: blackangst1
Originally posted by: TheSnowman
The rich have far too many loopholes to get out of paying as much as they should, flat tax time. That isn't going to break anyone. And not that this is coming from someone in the top 5% percent, thanks to well invested inheritance, but that still puts my income at far less than the the swindling money grubbers at the top.

As I pointed out in another thread monthsd ago, most middle class families dont utilize the loopholes available to them. Having loopholes isnt the problem. Taxes paid isnt the problem. Even if the wealthy paid 50% of their income in taxes, those in the 70th percentile would STILL bitch, The problem is class envy. When I hear the poor and middle class complain about the rich in the real world, they arent talking about how much more they should pay in taxes. They talk about the fact they have lots and those complaining have less. THAT is the problem. The fact of the matter is, if you make 5 mill/yr, and only net 2.5 mill because of taxes, guess what-people will complain you have 2.5 million. Its class envy pure and simple.

You can't see the problem because you have you head in the sand pointing your finger at others rather than addressing my comments.

So youre problem is with loopholes the rich have? How about this. We make all the same loopholes available to everyone.

Oh wait...
 

blackangst1

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
22,902
2,359
126
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: blackangst1
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.

So tell me, what kind of care do these places provide?

Heart surgery?

Cancer treatment?

Knee/shoulder or other joint repair/replacement?


Seeing how the poor are the unhealthiest segment of our population, I would say there is much they can do in the way of prevention. But no. They dont care. They only care when their lifestyle choice bites them in the ass.

Now mind you, this is a very general statement, and no need to post anecdotal evidence to the contrary. But its a fact-the poor dont give a shit about taking care of them selves. They only want handouts from those they bitch about when shit goes wrong.

Sorry. but that's only YOUR opinion and a "handy" one at that considering you chosen view..

I know plenty of people who are working full time and can't afford health insurance. I know of people who lost everything they had because they didn't have decent health insurance or their health insurance premiums went up so high after someone got a serious illness that they couldn't afford it.

Yes, not only is it handy, its fact. I see you cant point out anything I said as fallacy.
 

todpod

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2001
1,275
0
76
Speaking for the poor people (well sort of) The wife and I made about 35k last year and paid 0 in tax federal and state, even if you consider FICA and stuff. Actually we received about $6500 back from the feds and $1200 from the state. Most of the fed stuff is tax credits such as EITC and such, state was just a refund. The key here is letting people who make btw 100,000 and 1,000,000 keep enough of there money so they keep spending on the goodies, so they don't think they have to start saving because the feds aren't taking it all. The feds know any money they give me will be spent and it will be so thats a non issue its keeping everybody else spending is the key.

My M--I-L who is single and made about 20,000 paid less the $1000 in federal income tax this year
Just trying to put the low end in perspective.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,396
8,559
126
Originally posted by: Zebo

What do you mean by economic burden? If I understand you right, I'd say
no, economic burden is who actually bears the brunt of the tax.

the best way to show it is with a graph.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/elfenix/burden.jpg

the yellow and purple boxes combined is the amount of taxes collected. the green triangles are the dead-weight loss because they are trades that would have been made without the taxes, but were not made. dead weight loss is why taxes should be held to the minimum level, because those are valuable transactions otherwise (that is, unless the government is better at making purchasing decisions than the rest of us).

as you can see, the yellow box is much larger than the purple box. say the lower bound of the box is at $5, the market clearing price is $5.05, and the price paid after taxes is $5.15. in this example the consumer is bearing all of the yellow box, and the producer is bearing all of the purple box, in taxes. that is, economically.

doesn't matter who the legal burden of the taxes is on, or whether it's calculated at the time of purchase or just figured in with the price, the economic burden remains the same. the legal burden is usually placed on one party or another for political or collectibility reasons, and does not necessarily reflect the economic burden.

and that goes for all transactions. employment is another example. just to simplify, assume you're paid only in wage, you've got a tax of 20%. it's shared equally by you and your employer as the legal burden. let's also say your pay is $10,000. take home is $9,000, but your employer's total cost is $11,000. obviously, if the taxes weren't there, your employer would be willing to pay you anything up to $11,000, and you'd be willing to work for anything $9,000 or greater. where exactly you would end up would be the result of negotiation between you and your employer. you'll want to be closer to the $11,000, and they'll want to be closer to the $9,000. may come out near $10,000, may not.
 

nobodyknows

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2008
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Originally posted by: blackangst1
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: blackangst1
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Originally posted by: nobodyknows
You mean the richest people pay more in taxes then people who don't make enough money to be able to afford to see a doctor? Wow, how unfair!!

Are you talking about people who who don't make enough money to pay any taxes in the first place and can go to Health Care Centers and pay little or nothing for health care, health care that is subsidized by those who do pay taxes? How unfair, indeed.

So tell me, what kind of care do these places provide?

Heart surgery?

Cancer treatment?

Knee/shoulder or other joint repair/replacement?


Seeing how the poor are the unhealthiest segment of our population, I would say there is much they can do in the way of prevention. But no. They dont care. They only care when their lifestyle choice bites them in the ass.

Now mind you, this is a very general statement, and no need to post anecdotal evidence to the contrary. But its a fact-the poor dont give a shit about taking care of them selves. They only want handouts from those they bitch about when shit goes wrong.

Sorry. but that's only YOUR opinion and a "handy" one at that considering you chosen view..

I know plenty of people who are working full time and can't afford health insurance. I know of people who lost everything they had because they didn't have decent health insurance or their health insurance premiums went up so high after someone got a serious illness that they couldn't afford it.

Yes, not only is it handy, its fact. I see you cant point out anything I said as fallacy.

It's a fact they every poor person has a unhealthy life style? I suppose you also believe every rich person has a healthy life style? And it must be true because you say so?!?

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: