Calling out the 47%-51% paynotax lie.

I believe the technical definition for that would be payroll tax, which once again, does NOT fall under the specific category of federal income tax. This payroll tax is witheld and matched by the employer, and it goes into the government trust fund known as FICA, which is an insurance plan that provides retirement benefits.

 

So it's money people pay in taxes to the federal government for services they may or may not live long enough to receive back in benefits?

Sounds awfully like the tax we pay to the central government in NZ for the same thing.

But, unlike you it seems, we have yet to concoct a fiction that says we are not paying anything.

 

With all due respect, the only fiction involved in this discussion is due to your own ignorance of the terms involved. When one refers to federal income tax, which is one very specific category in the american tax system, and you interpret that to mean ALL taxes levied by the government, that is YOUR mistake, promulgated by YOUR ignorance. Therefore, when you enter a thread, and boldly boast that those on the right are liars regarding the subject, that is a situation where you are 100% unequivocally wrong. This isnt even remotely a gray area that you can find even a shred of wiggle room.

 

Hang on. It's you guys who keep on saying that a compulsory contribution to the federal government's coffers is not a tax.

And then dress it up as something else.

 

When someone receives more in a tax return than they paid in taxes, the tax system is being used as a method to redistribute wealth artificially in a way that is very similar to welfare. These credits and deductions promote decisions that most often inefficiently allocate resources.

 

I agree it is a tax. It is just not the tax at the center of this discussion. Payroll taxes are not remotely similar to income taxes in the fact that they are flat and have a earnings cap in which SS is applied.

 

The Constitution clearly states that these people are Americans, hence they can vote. It is typical of the GOP to dismiss anyone who is down and out as less a citizen as they are. In any case, the difference between the GOP and the Democrats is that the Democrats want to raise the level of wages to an amount that requires a person to pay taxes and create revenue. The GOP would rather relegate them to the trash heap of humanity to be ridiculed and scorned, classic half full vs. half empty. Keep an eye on the financial industry, pretty soon a bunch of now GOP tax-payers are about to become the "trash heap's" newest additions. See how long the GOP identifies them as worthy.

 

So the taxes you are talking about are the taxes that fund your wars 'n stuff?

I'm not surprised that so many don't pay them - given the rate of return on investment.

 

There are a number of taxes that go into federal coffers (ie. gas tax), that do not fall under the category federal income tax. Social Security, in theory at least, is a mandatory paid into personal retirement plan, which is NOT in any way shape or form categorized as federal income tax.

 

Huh, I didn't realize it was that simple. All the economy needs is for the government to force increased wages. I can't believe that I overlooked that. If I were President, I would mandate that everyone get paid a million bucks. Imagine how much of the deficit we could pay down with all of that federal revenue.

 

You guys will die of definitions.

 

that the Social Security fund and Medicare fund are NOT at 0 or negative dollars. Payroll taxes are (in theory) your retirement if you believe the USA government. If you don't, let's join the debate about a second civil war in the USA.

 

OK. What's going to fund it?

An "entitlement" surcharge on MacDonald's buns?

 

This is a thread about "federal income taxes". The definition of federal income tax is rather germaine.

 

So, bein' "germaine" 'n all, how much does the federal government take off the average Joe Blow in taxes?

Whatever you take the fancy to call them.

 

We don't allow fellons to vote are they not people?

Why should we allow social parrasites to vote?

Obviously the 24th amendment prevents revocation of voting rights based on failure to pay a tax, however nothing in the constitution states they cannot be barred for accepting aid such as a negative rate of income tax or food stamps etc. I would extend that to public employees as well.

Oh and give me a break, democrats don't want to raise anyone's wages. They want as many people dependent on the government as possible. That's why they create all kinds of negative incentives to work and extend benefits as long as possible. They want people helpless and reliant on government aid. That's why Obama has done nothing but spread poverty while in office.

 

Dunno. Perhaps because they can spell?

And thus can be trusted to tick a box?

 

"OK. What's going to fund it?

An "entitlement" surcharge on MacDonald's buns?" Awryly

There are nearly 100 million guns floating in the USA. There are enough bullets to kill every citizen 10 times over. That is not the problem. The problem at hand in this discussion is how to convince some individuals that half of the population in the USA REALLY DOES NOT PAY AN INCOME TAX. No matter how you want to transition the topic, it is a real FACT. HALF OF THE POPULATION DOES NOT PAY AN INCOME TAX.

 

Well..... for one... You havent given nearly enough info to discern exactly what constitutes your average "Joe Blow" in order to determine what he pays in total overall taxes. That would vary significantly by state, lifestyle, and probably a thousand other variables

Secondly.... What someone pays in overall taxes lacks a logical connection in a discussion to determine what the lowest 47% pay in the specific category of federal income tax.

To be honest, the question reeks of a straw man in the making.

 

wow, those are amazing statistics.

 

That's also true of those who do pay what you are pleased to call "federal taxes"

What are you trying to prove?

That there are people who pay taxes that don't pay taxes? Or people who don't pay taxes that do pay taxes?

 

That 51% of households pay no federal income tax. It should be obvious given the title of this thread.

You are welcome.

 

61% of americans make less than $20,000 ?

 

I am not trying to prove anything, because I have already succeeded.

 

And those people also pay taxes for their retirement and health expenses (for those who wish to continue living).

Apparently they don't earn enough to fund oil wars.

Which, as we all know, is social irresponsibility.