08-11-2004 06:17									#61
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people making over $200,000 a year should have to pay a 75% tax rate

Those making less than $30,000 should not have to pay any taxes.

	08-11-2004 06:26									#62
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i don't know all of the details, but i don't think he has many stocks or bonds, or anything like that. he doesn't owe back taxes, and he doesn't get many deductions either. He works for a company that does contract labor for oil companies. They pay all of his expenses, so i don't think he could claim many deductions...my younger sister is married, and i'm no longer a dependant.

Last edited by Kaak on 08-11-2004 at 06:36

	08-11-2004 06:33									#63
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quote: he has many stocks or bongs

That probably explains it.

	08-11-2004 06:49									#65
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quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui Boohoo... your dad makes more so has to pay more in taxes... come on! What a silly thing to try to feel victimized by.

	08-11-2004 07:29									#66
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quote: Originally posted by Kaak He works for a company that does contract labor for oil companies. They pay all of his expenses...

What could be happening is that he is either not paying any withholding or he is what is termed as an independent contractor. In either case he is not paying his taxes "pay as you go" but rather in one lump sum at the end of the year. This could be the huge tax liability you're describing.

Or, he's paying self employment taxes, which could bump things up.

Or, he could, and this is rare even now-a-days (more so for someone making under 100K), be paying AMT tax. The alternative minimum tax is also called "bending over and taking it in the ass". The AMT was created during the 60's and is an alternate tax for specifically "rich people" who paid an incredibly low tax due to loopholes at the time. Unfortunately for these so called "rich people", the AMT income levels have never been adjusted and the regular tax loopholes have long since been closed.

While the federal income tax code is an incredibly complex monster it is also and incredibly complex foundation to governmental social programs. Wiping away the old code and installing a flat tax could leave the government with a pandora's box on their hands.

So yeah, you're dad is probably being screwed, so I suggest he seek some help from a good CPA that specializes in taxes. There a bunch of nice incentives that will help lower his taxes and keep his wealth safe, just as long as he adheres to the rules.

	08-11-2004 07:32									#67
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We at the CPA are always good, and are very interested in taxes

	08-11-2004 07:34									#68
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quote: Originally posted by Spiffor We at the CPA are always good, and are very interested in taxes

doofus

	08-11-2004 09:27									#69
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nope, they take it out of his paycheck every two weeks. He isn't an independant contractor.

	08-11-2004 09:30									#70
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Then it's not possible they're taking out 40% in income taxes. If he has stock options, he might be getting screwed on the AMT, as HT mentioned.

	08-11-2004 09:35									#71
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quote: Boohoo... your dad makes more so has to pay more in taxes... come on! What a silly thing to try to feel victimized by.

I'm sorry I ever doubted your conservatism. Bush would be proud.

	08-11-2004 09:38									#72
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Do you ever make a comment that isn't an insult to someone? Even Fez and Dornon were occassionally nice to people, even people with whom they disagree.

	08-11-2004 10:08									#73
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quote: Originally posted by David Floyd Kaak, some people don't understand the concept of fairness. They think that "fair" means everyone paying what the government thinks they can afford, rather than paying an equal percentage. Obviously, they misunderstand the meaning of fairness, but we aren't likely to convince them otherwise.

This coming from the person who thinks that personal ownership of nuclear weopons should be legal

	08-11-2004 10:19									#74
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quote: Luckily for us these people are in the minority and they always will be as long as people who live in the real world exist.

I'm sorry, when exactly did the US tax system switch to a flat tax? Who is the minority?

quote: Imran? Imran? Are you ill?

Nope, I'm fine. You'll find the VAST majority of Republicans are against a flat tax because they realize the unfairness of it all. This is why that even though Bush has had a Republican Congress since 2002, a flax tax hasn't even passed through committee and has no chance in Hell of passing. For all of ML's bluster, he simply can't wrap his head around the fact that most conservatives and Republicans don't want a flat tax and it is only the extremists who do. After all, neither Ronald Reagan nor George W. Bush has called for a flat tax... EVER.

	08-11-2004 10:22									#75
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But... But, I mean... You actually care about unfairness? You have thoughts about the hardships endured by poor people ?

And you're not even blathering that it's their fault, they brought it to themselves, and they deserve their painful fate?

What kind of American are you! Pinko Commie traitor!

	08-11-2004 10:23									#76
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Oh yeah... I forgot..... poor people deserve all of their problems, those... those... lazy bastards!

	08-11-2004 10:33									#77
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Much better now

I can now resume my loathing of the evil American Republican that you are

	08-11-2004 12:27									#78
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Well, *I* certainly don't deserve to shoulder the burden of other people's problems. That certainly isn't fair.

	08-11-2004 12:29									#79
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quote: Originally posted by Kaak Someone told me that if we said F*** the IRS, screw all the tax loopholes, writeoffs everything, the only write off to leave would be for donations to charities, everyone would pay about 14.5% income tax. Yes, i'm suggesting a flat tax. the gov't would save the BILLIONS the IRS uses

The only people who like flat taxes are the rich who pay currently higher tax rates. The poor and middle class who'd see their taxes rise under a flat tax don't like the idea. Personally, I think it is moral that we charge the poor a lower rate then the rich.

	08-11-2004 12:30									#80
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quote: Originally posted by David Floyd Well, *I* certainly don't deserve to shoulder the burden of other people's problems. That certainly isn't fair.

That depends upon how much you make.

	08-11-2004 12:34									#81
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Really? So, depending on how much money I make, it's fair to make me financially solve the problems of others? How do ya figure?

	08-11-2004 23:46									#82
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quote: Originally posted by David Floyd Well, *I* certainly don't deserve to shoulder the burden of other people's problems. That certainly isn't fair.

You're human aren't you? As a meber of a species of social animals, you must definately do deserve to shoulder the burdens of others. That's who we survive. If you don't want to contribute your share to society, then you should expect nothing at all in return from society. Nothing, no commerce, no contact, no protection, not even a conversation. You're either with us or against us.

	08-11-2004 23:50									#83
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My share to society? What? I still haven't figured out how my contribution is in proportion to what the deadbeats contribute. If I owe more to others just on the basis that I make more than them, that sounds horribly arbitrary and unfair.

	08-11-2004 23:51									#84
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Progressive taxes.

	08-11-2004 23:53									#85
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Well, life is unfair, being born into a poor family or a poor nation is unfair on those born into it. Don't expect fairness, because when all is said and done you are lucky to be born where and when and to who you were.

	08-11-2004 23:54									#86
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quote: Originally posted by David Floyd If I owe more to others just on the basis that I make more than them, that sounds horribly arbitrary and unfair.

Life ain't fair.

	08-11-2004 23:59									#87
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OK, then that argument can be just as easily applied to those who don't have anything. You're starving? Sorry, life ain't fair.

That's a silly argument - of course life isn't fair, but that doesn't oblige me to help those less fortunate than myself.

If, as you guys seem to think, the point of society is mutual support and protection, then it seems that the best way to accomplish that is to get rid of those who don't contribute to that support and protection. Of course, *I* think the point of society is to protect individual rights.

Anyway, I'm off to play disc golf.

	09-11-2004 00:02									#88
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The only way I'd support a flat tax or a sales tax would be if it were structured to exempt a TON of things from the tax... which would end up making it similar to the current progressive tax system.

Kaak - based on what you've said, you appear to be rich, or at the very least "well off." Consider this: by paying a higher rate, and thus more taxes than your family would under a flat tax, you are effectively paying off the undermensch so they don't go and have a revolution. It's a deal (a New one, at least 60 yrs ago). Suck it up, 'cause the alternative is much worse.

-Arrian

	09-11-2004 00:02									#89
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quote: Originally posted by David Floyd Well, *I* certainly don't deserve to shoulder the burden of other people's problems. That certainly isn't fair.

There is no "fair" in the universe-the faster you get that fact into your head, the better you will be.

	09-11-2004 00:04									#90
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quote: Originally posted by David Floyd OK, then that argument can be just as easily applied to those who don't have anything. You're starving? Sorry, life ain't fair. That's a silly argument - of course life isn't fair, but that doesn't oblige me to help those less fortunate than myself.

The fact you live in a society does- want to live free? Go become a hermit. Otherwise, accept the reality that humanity is a social species and that you have to live within the construct- the vest majority of humanity does not support your notion- tough.

quote: If, as you guys seem to think, the point of society is mutual support and protection, then it seems that the best way to accomplish that is to get rid of those who don't contribute to that support and protection. Of course, *I* think the point of society is to protect individual rights.

That only makes those individual enemies, making this more difficult. Oh, and what ou think is wrong- the long span of human history is against you.