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Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: rich_t on March 08, 2010, 12:46:11 PM

Title: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: rich_t on March 08, 2010, 12:46:11 PM
How do you fine people feel about folks that get more money back on their federal tax refund than they paid in federal income taxes?

Personally, it irritates the hell out of me.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: JohnnyReb on March 08, 2010, 03:41:21 PM
How do you fine people feel about folks that get more money back on their federal tax refund than they paid in federal income taxes?

Personally, it irritates the hell out of me.

You are not alone.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: IassaFTots on March 08, 2010, 03:44:21 PM
You are not alone.

Nope.  Not alone one iota. 
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Thor on March 08, 2010, 04:18:24 PM
Ummm, I'm one of "those people" now. (Maybe) My annual taxable income is pretty low.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: rich_t on March 08, 2010, 04:31:49 PM
I did my daughter's tax forms for her yesterday.

She paid less than $600.00 last year in Federdal income taxes.

But she is "getting" back just over $5K.

She is getting back about 8.75 times what she paid in.

I have a HUGE problem with that.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Thor on March 08, 2010, 05:25:19 PM
I did my daughter's tax forms for her yesterday.

She paid less than $600.00 last year in Federdal income taxes.

But she is "getting" back just over $5K.

She is getting back about 8.75 times what she paid in.

I have a HUGE problem with that.

I'll be lucky to get back just a little over what I paid in or break even. That's still up in the air. We're talking about $100, NOT $5K !!!
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: rich_t on March 08, 2010, 05:32:23 PM
I'll be lucky to get back just a little over what I paid in or break even. That's still up in the air. We're talking about $100, NOT $5K !!!

IMO one should NEVER get back more than they paid in.

Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Lacarnut on March 08, 2010, 05:51:47 PM
If I had not had an energy credit for Pella windows and the sales tax deduction on a new car, I would have owed. Getting back a little over a thousand bucks back.     
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Carl on March 08, 2010, 05:51:57 PM
I did my daughter's tax forms for her yesterday.

She paid less than $600.00 last year in Federdal income taxes.

But she is "getting" back just over $5K.

She is getting back about 8.75 times what she paid in.

I have a HUGE problem with that.

Me too and made that point here once as far as the EIC is concerned.

On edit..

I don`t know if that is what you are talking about Rich so don`t take my comment as specific to whatever that situation is but my feeling on an issue that can have the same effect.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: MrsSmith on March 08, 2010, 06:51:26 PM
I did my daughter's tax forms for her yesterday.

She paid less than $600.00 last year in Federdal income taxes.

But she is "getting" back just over $5K.

She is getting back about 8.75 times what she paid in.

I have a HUGE problem with that.
How did that work?  My kid made about $14,000 last year, had something over $800 deducted.  I forget exactly what he got back...less than half of that though.  What was her income?  And how many kids does she have?
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Duke Nukum on March 08, 2010, 07:08:18 PM
How do you fine people feel about folks that get more money back on their federal tax refund than they paid in federal income taxes?

Personally, it irritates the hell out of me.
It makes no sense and seems to only perpetuate a poverty mindset.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: NHSparky on March 08, 2010, 07:51:06 PM
I did my daughter's tax forms for her yesterday.

She paid less than $600.00 last year in Federdal income taxes.

But she is "getting" back just over $5K.

She is getting back about 8.75 times what she paid in.

I have a HUGE problem with that.

Waitthe****upnowjustholdonamother****insecond...

Her tax return was LARGER than mine?  And the only reason I got one at all is because I've got NO deductions, and basically itemizing is where I get money back?

And I pay more in Federal in ONE PAYCHECK than she did ALL ****ING YEAR???

 :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored:
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: rich_t on March 09, 2010, 07:42:48 AM
How did that work?  My kid made about $14,000 last year, had something over $800 deducted.  I forget exactly what he got back...less than half of that though.  What was her income?  And how many kids does she have?

She is married with 1 child.  Her dead beat husband doesn't work (boy am I pissed about that too).  She made a little over $23K.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: rich_t on March 09, 2010, 07:44:44 AM
Waitthe****upnowjustholdonamother****insecond...

Her tax return was LARGER than mine?  And the only reason I got one at all is because I've got NO deductions, and basically itemizing is where I get money back?

And I pay more in Federal in ONE PAYCHECK than she did ALL ****ING YEAR???

 :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored:

Amazing isn't it?

I told her that people like her piss people like me off, when it comes to this issue.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: terry on March 09, 2010, 07:50:44 AM
Amazing isn't it?

I told her that people like her piss people like me off, when it comes to this issue.

Why be pissed at her? She didn't write the code.   Did she lobby for it?

Sounds like she's doing her best in a crappy situation.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: thundley4 on March 09, 2010, 07:58:58 AM
Why be pissed at her? She didn't write the code.   Did she lobby for it?

Sounds like she's doing her best in a crappy situation.

True, EITC is another welfare program brought to us by the US government. It wouldn't bother me  if they got back everything they paid in, but it is giving them more than that , that most people don't like.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: rich_t on March 09, 2010, 08:03:40 AM
Why be pissed at her? She didn't write the code.   Did she lobby for it?

Sounds like she's doing her best in a crappy situation.

She understood that I wasn't pissed at her personally, just pissed at the system that allows one to get back WAY more than they paid in.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: rich_t on March 09, 2010, 08:04:08 AM
True, EITC is another welfare program brought to us by the US government. It wouldn't bother me  if they got back everything they paid in, but it is giving them more than that , that most people don't like.

Exactly!
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: IassaFTots on March 09, 2010, 08:11:40 AM
Exactly!

We have quite a few employees here that get that credit, and a good bit back on their refund.  Some will, and I am not making this up, work up until they get their refund, then take a vacation in May, and go look for work at the end of the summer.  They make enough on the refund to carry them through the summer, and by not working, they keep their income low enough to get it again.

We don't rehire them, they go off somewhere else.  But, if you are a $9.00/hr call center employee, it ain't that hard to find a job, as all of them have not been moved to Mexico or India. 

Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on March 09, 2010, 09:48:27 AM
True, EITC is another welfare program brought to us by the US government. It wouldn't bother me  if they got back everything they paid in, but it is giving them more than that , that most people don't like.

Couldn't agree more.  Any system that engages in transfer payments like EITC/EIC is headed down a bad road, and it can't end well.  The amount and top-end threshold for getting it inevitably increase over time to woo voters, and the tax burden on those that are really paying it has to rise over time accordingly.  Eventually it reaches a point where enough taxpayers have no skin in the game on how the tax money is spent that they can vote in anything for themselves and win, and entitlement programs take over the world.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: debk on March 09, 2010, 09:59:55 AM
I haven't done my taxes yet, but since I made similar to last year....I'm going to OWE about $7000.  :bawl:
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: rich_t on March 09, 2010, 10:29:26 AM
I haven't done my taxes yet, but since I made similar to last year....I'm going to OWE about $7000.  :bawl:

OUCH!!!
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Thor on March 09, 2010, 10:37:23 AM
I haven't done my taxes yet, but since I made similar to last year....I'm going to OWE about $7000.  :bawl:

Yeah, but did you pay in your quarterly taxes??

I remember one year that my ex and I made so much that we had to pay in more than what I made that year and I had a pretty decent job at the time.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: debk on March 09, 2010, 11:40:01 AM
Yeah, but did you pay in your quarterly taxes??

I remember one year that my ex and I made so much that we had to pay in more than what I made that year and I had a pretty decent job at the time.

No, I didn't pay my quarterlies. That 7k will be total. Since I don't have a mortgage anymore, I don't have any deductions but work expenses. From a tax standpoint, I would have been better off keeping my house, but then I would have had other headaches with renters and maintenance.

Maybe I should just quit work and collect welfare. I think I would have more money.... :(

Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: docstew on March 10, 2010, 10:17:48 AM
I did my daughter's tax forms for her yesterday.

She paid less than $600.00 last year in Federdal income taxes.

But she is "getting" back just over $5K.

She is getting back about 8.75 times what she paid in.

I have a HUGE problem with that.

Milton Freidman didn't have a problem with it, he proposed what he called a "negative" income tax that would replace welfare.

And I too am one of those people, but then again, my taxable income this year (09) is only from Jan-Mar.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: MrsSmith on March 10, 2010, 05:06:56 PM
She is married with 1 child.  Her dead beat husband doesn't work (boy am I pissed about that too).  She made a little over $23K.
Wow.  Things must have changed a lot...by the time I was earning $23K, I didn't qualify for the EIC.  I got it for 6 years, from the time I started working at 4.75 an hour to the year I made $7.50 an hour.  With 4 kids at home, the max I ever got back was $1200.   
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: MrsSmith on March 10, 2010, 05:10:14 PM
We have quite a few employees here that get that credit, and a good bit back on their refund.  Some will, and I am not making this up, work up until they get their refund, then take a vacation in May, and go look for work at the end of the summer.  They make enough on the refund to carry them through the summer, and by not working, they keep their income low enough to get it again.

We don't rehire them, they go off somewhere else.  But, if you are a $9.00/hr call center employee, it ain't that hard to find a job, as all of them have not been moved to Mexico or India. 


Maybe the deciding factor is the cost of childcare over the summer...
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Texacon on March 10, 2010, 06:05:28 PM
I've told a very similar story here.  I had friends (they're still friends) who got back around $5k when they had only paid in around $2k.  When the Bush tax cuts went into effect and we got checks sent to us the wife of my friends was griping to me that THEY didn't get a check but she bet I got one. 

I told her I did in fact get a check for the full $1,200.00.  Then I asked her how much in taxes she had paid the year before.  She didn't know.  Her husband said they had paid around $2,000.00.  I then asked what their refund had been.  She knew that one.  She told me they got back $5,000.00.  I asked her if she knew how much I had paid in taxes and she said 'No'.  I told her that we had paid close to $30k for the year and the $1,200 was ALL I got back and that THAT was just an advance I would have to claim on my taxes next year.  Then I asked her who had paid more in taxes ...... She became a Conservative that very day.  That ain't no bullshit.

KC
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: ColonialMarine0431 on March 10, 2010, 06:50:25 PM
It always amazes me when people get excited about a tax "refund". Ummmm...No people. It was your hard earned money to begin with. You coulda put that money into an IRA for retirement or even a 12 month CD making  some interest.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: thundley4 on March 10, 2010, 07:07:44 PM
It always amazes me when people get excited about a tax "refund". Ummmm...No people. It was your hard earned money to begin with. You coulda put that money into an IRA for retirement or even a 12 month CD making  some interest.

Except mostly we have been talking about thse people that get back more than they pay in.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: ColonialMarine0431 on March 10, 2010, 07:32:07 PM
Except mostly we have been talking about thse people that get back more than they pay in.

True. That still confuses me.  :banghead:
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: IassaFTots on March 10, 2010, 07:56:05 PM
Maybe the deciding factor is the cost of childcare over the summer...

And that very well could be, but it is still messed up.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: BEG on March 10, 2010, 08:13:23 PM
We paid the most we have ever paid this year in taxes. I am in shock.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Eupher on March 10, 2010, 08:15:36 PM
We paid the most we have ever paid this year in taxes. I am in shock.

Well, BEG, somebody had to pay for TARP and the "stimulus" and the bailouts and AIG and Freddie and Fannie and Lord Zero's wedding anniversary trip to NYC and his flight to Oslo to pick up his "Peace Prize" and his apology tour and Michelle's entourage and .....
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: BEG on March 10, 2010, 08:16:28 PM
I haven't done my taxes yet, but since I made similar to last year....I'm going to OWE about $7000.  :bawl:

we owe an additional $12k.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: NHSparky on March 10, 2010, 08:17:15 PM
we owe an additional $12k.

Oh, that sucks--because of the moving expenses?
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: BEG on March 10, 2010, 08:43:52 PM
Well, BEG, somebody had to pay for TARP and the "stimulus" and the bailouts and AIG and Freddie and Fannie and Lord Zero's wedding anniversary trip to NYC and his flight to Oslo to pick up his "Peace Prize" and his apology tour and Michelle's entourage and .....

I am seriously pissed at anyone who doesn't think we pay "our fair share". I'll tell you all right now, we paid just over $100k in taxes (including what we owe on our tax return), that is just federal ALONE. Don't forget we live in the hell hole that is California so tack on an additional 10%, add social security (which they want to raise that tax too)...etc. Obama says we are rich and wants to tax us even more.   Yet we lose deductions because we make too much money, we can't claim our sons college, we get none of the special tax credits.  Everytime Obama comes out and says he just wants to tax those making over $250k I feel personally attacked. We aren't "rich" enough like Hollywood to have offshore accounts, have a second home out of state to avoid California taxes, etc.

I know those of you who had a rough year think "cry me a ****ing river" and I do realize how lucky we are but it does piss me off when people get more back than they pay in. When 50% of Americans don't pay taxes it does make me mad when those same people say "make the rich pay their fair share".  Well we are paying our fair share and the people who don't pay any taxes fair share as well.

I guess we could just tell our son he is on his own and let the government put him through college....oh that wouldn't happen, he isn't the right "type" of person to get government help.   
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: BEG on March 10, 2010, 08:51:08 PM
Oh, that sucks--because of the moving expenses?

Yes and the bonus to make us move (that had taxes taken out). We had to use all the bonus for our down payment on our house.  Housing, as you know, is three times what it is in Dallas. It wasn't a normal bonus and we had to use it on a down payment on a house within a certain amount of time or we had to pay it back.  All of that pushed us in a higher tax bracket. 
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: IassaFTots on March 10, 2010, 08:55:16 PM
Yes and the bonus to make us move (that had taxes taken out). We had to use all the bonus for our down payment on our house.  Housing, as you know, is three times what it is in Dallas. It wasn't a normal bonus and we had to use it on a down payment on a house within a certain amount of time or we had to pay it back.  All of that pushed us in a higher tax bracket. 

That so sucks.  I know it doesn't help, but it sucks none the less...... 
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: NHSparky on March 10, 2010, 08:56:12 PM
Yes and the bonus to make us move (that had taxes taken out). We had to use all the bonus for our down payment on our house.  Housing, as you know, is three times what it is in Dallas. It wasn't a normal bonus and we had to use it on a down payment on a house within a certain amount of time or we had to pay it back.  All of that pushed us in a higher tax bracket. 

I know--I looked at my tax return again the other day, and am amazed at how much I as a single guy paid in, and that had I filed married-separate again this year, how much I would have been screwed over.  And I'm by no means rich.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: BEG on March 10, 2010, 08:58:50 PM
Oh I forgot to mention that we lost money on our house in Dallas and you can't write any of that off on your taxes but if you make over a certain amount on your house you have to pay taxes. Boy the government sure has a good thing going on, don't they?!?
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: NHSparky on March 10, 2010, 09:06:33 PM
Oh I forgot to mention that we lost money on our house in Dallas and you can't write any of that off on your taxes but if you make over a certain amount on your house you have to pay taxes. Boy the government sure has a good thing going on, don't they?!?

Yep--$500K on a house or other property sale you have to claim under Capital Gains tax.  Also true that if you lose you can't write it off, although I'm not sure why.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: BEG on March 10, 2010, 09:08:49 PM
Yep--$500K on a house or other property sale you have to claim under Capital Gains tax.  Also true that if you lose you can't write it off, although I'm not sure why.

I thought it was over $250k, I am probably wrong though.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Eupher on March 11, 2010, 10:00:52 AM
I am seriously pissed at anyone who doesn't think we pay "our fair share". I'll tell you all right now, we paid just over $100k in taxes (including what we owe on our tax return), that is just federal ALONE. Don't forget we live in the hell hole that is California so tack on an additional 10%, add social security (which they want to raise that tax too)...etc. Obama says we are rich and wants to tax us even more.   Yet we lose deductions because we make too much money, we can't claim our sons college, we get none of the special tax credits.  Everytime Obama comes out and says he just wants to tax those making over $250k I feel personally attacked. We aren't "rich" enough like Hollywood to have offshore accounts, have a second home out of state to avoid California taxes, etc.

I know those of you who had a rough year think "cry me a ****ing river" and I do realize how lucky we are but it does piss me off when people get more back than they pay in. When 50% of Americans don't pay taxes it does make me mad when those same people say "make the rich pay their fair share".  Well we are paying our fair share and the people who don't pay any taxes fair share as well.

I guess we could just tell our son he is on his own and let the government put him through college....oh that wouldn't happen, he isn't the right "type" of person to get government help.   

Mrs E and I don't quite match your income level, but we're not poor either. I definitely sense your outrage, and it's understandable. The socialists won't stop until everybody's income is redistributed into that black hole that is the entitlement crowd. No amount of money will bridge that gap.

Having enough money to sock away for retirement -- now THAT'S an idea!

Ain't gonna happen with the Socialists in charge. Lord Zero wants us to pony up the money NOW!

I'd like to see LZ's tax return when it's made public....
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: thundley4 on March 11, 2010, 10:07:17 AM
Quote
I'd like to see LZ's tax return when it's made public....

I want to see what charity he donated the Piss Prize money to.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: BEG on March 11, 2010, 11:37:51 AM
Mrs E and I don't quite match your income level, but we're not poor either. I definitely sense your outrage, and it's understandable. The socialists won't stop until everybody's income is redistributed into that black hole that is the entitlement crowd. No amount of money will bridge that gap.

Having enough money to sock away for retirement -- now THAT'S an idea!

Ain't gonna happen with the Socialists in charge. Lord Zero wants us to pony up the money NOW!

I'd like to see LZ's tax return when it's made public....

It's not my income, it's my husband's. :p. DU'ers think my husband does nothing all day while he has others slaving away under him. He goes to work at 5:30 am and leaves around 6:45 at night. Works after dinner a lot of nights on the computer for work and is always in work mode. Even when we go to Target he has to check out his items and their competitors for research because that is just the way he is. He has a lot of pressure of a whole company riding on his shoulders.  He works his ass off, he started 16 years ago as an entry level designer at $32k a year.  He paid his own way through college (6 years worth), we had student loans that took us 10 years to pay off to prove it. He has never had a free ride and deserves every good thing in life he gets. Something the leeches over at DU will never have or understand. 

Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Lacarnut on March 11, 2010, 03:49:01 PM
My advise is to save like crazy and when you have your house, car paid off, have no credit and savings, you can live pretty easy on 70 to 80% provided you do not go on spending sprees.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: MrsSmith on March 11, 2010, 04:50:33 PM
It's not my income, it's my husband's. :p. DU'ers think my husband does nothing all day while he has others slaving away under him. He goes to work at 5:30 am and leaves around 6:45 at night. Works after dinner a lot of nights on the computer for work and is always in work mode. Even when we go to Target he has to check out his items and their competitors for research because that is just the way he is. He has a lot of pressure of a whole company riding on his shoulders.  He works his ass off, he started 16 years ago as an entry level designer at $32k a year.  He paid his own way through college (6 years worth), we had student loans that took us 10 years to pay off to prove it. He has never had a free ride and deserves every good thing in life he gets. Something the leeches over at DU will never have or understand. 


This is the part they'll never get.  My sister-in-law and her hubby own a business, and they're the same way.  16 hours days are NORMAL.  If "the poor enslaved masses" worked as hard as the boss in most businesses...well, they'd end up owning their own business.

I've got to admit...especially with 5 kids to raise, I never wanted to own or run any business...I want to do my 8 hours, earn enough to feed everyone, and go home (to my second job...Mommy.)   :-)
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: BEG on March 11, 2010, 05:51:28 PM
This is the part they'll never get.  My sister-in-law and her hubby own a business, and they're the same way.  16 hours days are NORMAL.  If "the poor enslaved masses" worked as hard as the boss in most businesses...well, they'd end up owning their own business.

I've got to admit...especially with 5 kids to raise, I never wanted to own or run any business...I want to do my 8 hours, earn enough to feed everyone, and go home (to my second job...Mommy.)   :-)

That is how I am too. When I worked I did my 8-5 and went home to be with my kids. I didn't think of work until the next day when I went back to the office.  My husband is the best dad and does everything he can to spend time with them but he does have a bit of a work-a-holic problem. My husband will never retire, he is just wired that way.  His dad is the same way.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: NHSparky on March 11, 2010, 07:00:02 PM
My advise is to save like crazy and when you have your house, car paid off, have no credit and savings, you can live pretty easy on 70 to 80% provided you do not go on spending sprees.

70-80 percent?  Try about 25-30 percent.  My oil, car maintenance, food, electric, phone, and cable combined run $500-600 a month.  Even when you tack on property tax I'm well under 30 percent of current income.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: BEG on March 11, 2010, 08:00:50 PM
70-80 percent?  Try about 25-30 percent.  My oil, car maintenance, food, electric, phone, and cable combined run $500-600 a month.  Even when you tack on property tax I'm well under 30 percent of current income.

We have a plan. My husband's parents live on his maternal grandparent's farm (outside of Tulsa), as does his sister, two cousins and an aunt/uncle. There is enough land for just about everyone in the family to build a house and still not be able to see each others house.  We plan on building a house on the land and live on a lot less money, we are already saving for this.  We will take care of his parents and mine if they need it too. 
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Lacarnut on March 11, 2010, 09:07:25 PM
70-80 percent?  Try about 25-30 percent.  My oil, car maintenance, food, electric, phone, and cable combined run $500-600 a month.  Even when you tack on property tax I'm well under 30 percent of current income.

If I had to, I could live on around 30 percent of my pension and SS but then I could not take many trips to the beach and other luxuries.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Randy on March 13, 2010, 05:24:54 AM
I want to see what charity he donated the Piss Prize money to.

That's easy. It went to the Barry O: Keep Baby Momma Happy Foundation.
Title: Re: Federal Tax Refunds
Post by: Randy on March 13, 2010, 05:33:30 AM
No EIC here but with tax credits for things we wisely did this year we got back everything we paid in plus the incentives for a nice refund. Which was used to pay for the things we had had done. WITH enough left over to buy a nice dinner...maybe, if we eat cheap. :lmao: