As a self-employed writer I pay a pretty high tax rate. I wouldn't mind if I knew that hedge-fund managers and other billionaires paid a similarly high rate. We've gotten so accustomed to the idea in this country that rich people "earned" all that money and therefore shouldn't have to pay taxes--as if the more one earns the less social obligations one can be subjected to. That makes no sense. Plus, I earned my money just as much as Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos did. If I don't get a tax break then they shouldn't either. And of course, tax dollars pay for so many public services that have helped billionaires get fantastically rich, so arguably they should pay more. Where would Amazon be without airports and public roads? Or Musk for that matter. Pay up ya'll!
I would like it if state taxes were also free to file online, so hopefully that's included in the IRS reforms. In terms of tax amounts, I basically broke even (owing $100 federally and being refunded the same amount by my state), but federal was free to file online and state cost $15 even after a credit was applied. Thankfully this is a mere annoyance and not a crisis, but it's yet another example of the US handling taxes so weirdly compared to the rest of the world.
In the 2000s/2010s, I believe that at one point Eritrea was the only country in the world with *less* press freedom than North Korea. Chew on that, USA.
Der Hundesteuer! What a marvelous tax. Thank you for providing both levity and perspective. The capuchin video in particular has lessened my dread this week.
As a self-employed writer I pay a pretty high tax rate. I wouldn't mind if I knew that hedge-fund managers and other billionaires paid a similarly high rate. We've gotten so accustomed to the idea in this country that rich people "earned" all that money and therefore shouldn't have to pay taxes--as if the more one earns the less social obligations one can be subjected to. That makes no sense. Plus, I earned my money just as much as Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos did. If I don't get a tax break then they shouldn't either. And of course, tax dollars pay for so many public services that have helped billionaires get fantastically rich, so arguably they should pay more. Where would Amazon be without airports and public roads? Or Musk for that matter. Pay up ya'll!
Exactly! Those hedge fund guys need to ante up!
Dear Mari, once again, a very amusing, entertaining, and historical facts-filled blog.
one thing: it's DIE Hundesteuer, in German, taxes are feminine, for some odd reason. go figure... :)
Oh no! Thank you so much for this correction! I will fix the post.
I would like it if state taxes were also free to file online, so hopefully that's included in the IRS reforms. In terms of tax amounts, I basically broke even (owing $100 federally and being refunded the same amount by my state), but federal was free to file online and state cost $15 even after a credit was applied. Thankfully this is a mere annoyance and not a crisis, but it's yet another example of the US handling taxes so weirdly compared to the rest of the world.
In the 2000s/2010s, I believe that at one point Eritrea was the only country in the world with *less* press freedom than North Korea. Chew on that, USA.
Oh this is a good point. The free e-filing should definitely extend to state taxes too. Maybe that’s the next step.
Hopefully!
Der Hundesteuer! What a marvelous tax. Thank you for providing both levity and perspective. The capuchin video in particular has lessened my dread this week.
That poor monkey was wronged!
Incidentally, I discovered to my delight that our grocery store carries Crodino, so imagine me toasting you and wishing you luck on your taxes! Prost!