47% of Americans do not Pay Federal Income Tax?

[guido911]

Mission Accomplished: Wealth finally spread around:

The bottom 40 percent, on average, make a profit from the federal income tax, meaning they get more money in tax credits than they would otherwise owe in taxes. For those people, the government sends them a payment.

"We have 50 percent of people who are getting something for nothing," said Curtis Dubay, senior tax policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Nearly-half-of-US-households-apf-1105567323.html?x=0&.v=1

[Townsend]

You used Bush's line "mission accomplished" fittingly.

The number of households that don't pay federal income taxes increased substantially in 2008, when the poor economy reduced incomes and Congress cut taxes in an attempt to help recovery.

In 2007, about 38 percent of households paid no federal income tax, a figure that jumped to 49 percent in 2008, according to estimates by the Tax Policy Center.

In 2008, President George W. Bush signed a law providing most families with rebate checks of $300 to $1,200

[we vs us]

So, why, if we've been effectively redistributing our income, has the gap between the rich and the rest of us increased so much?  If we've been striving for economic equality by taking from the wealthy and giving to the poor, why has inequality increased? 

[Conan71]

It's not a matter of equality it's ensuring more enslavement to mediocrity.

On another note, I just learned from my boss my middle-class self will be paying roughly a $1000 tax increase on my company-provided health insurance plan.  Sweet.

[guido911]

So, why, if we've been effectively redistributing our income, has the gap between the rich and the rest of us increased so much?  If we've been striving for economic equality by taking from the wealthy and giving to the poor, why has inequality increased? 

Here's a thought, why do half of us not pay a freakin dime in federal income taxes. As for redistribution, did you read that quote I cited? Many Americans actually profit from tax policy. So these people do not pay taxes and in fact make money, what else should us taxpayers do? Should the government  just start writing checks to these people in order to close the wealth gap.

[guido911]

On another note, I just learned from my boss my middle-class self will be paying roughly a $1000 tax increase on my company-provided health insurance plan.  Sweet.

You are so lucky. 

[custosnox]

Here's a thought, why do half of us not pay a freakin dime in federal income taxes. As for redistribution, did you read that quote I cited? Many Americans actually profit from tax policy. So these people do not pay taxes and in fact make money, what else should us taxpayers do? Should the government  just start writing checks to these people in order to close the wealth gap.

It was this way long before the current administration.  The rate may have risen 12%, especially with the recession, but the concept is the same.

[nathanm]

Here's a thought, why do half of us not pay a freakin dime in federal income taxes.

Because half of us already make so little we're living hand to mouth. And before you get your panties in a bunch, do keep in mind that there are a lot of taxes people pay no matter how small their income. Sales tax, FICA, the list goes on.

[YoungTulsan]

Because half of us already make so little we're living hand to mouth. And before you get your panties in a bunch, do keep in mind that there are a lot of taxes people pay no matter how small their income. Sales tax, FICA, the list goes on.

Any business that is levied a tax that you buy anything from, you are in essence paying that tax as well.  It is reflected in the price they have to charge to maintain profitability.

[fotd]

Nobody seems to mind that Tulsa's largest property owner pays no taxes.

[guido911]

Because half of us already make so little we're living hand to mouth. And before you get your panties in a bunch, do keep in mind that there are a lot of taxes people pay no matter how small their income. Sales tax, FICA, the list goes on.

And that's my fault? He!!, the rich are already responsible for the jobs most have (last I heard the poor ain't hiring). Instead of a "thank you", let's soak them.  As for paying FICA, well I am all broken up that people actually have to pay for something, such as their own retirement. I am talking about federal income tax, and nearly half do not pay it. This is just another statistic that just smacks the "rich don't pay their fair share" meme. In fact, it actually supports that millions "don't pay any share" meme.

[guido911]

It was this way long before the current administration.  The rate may have risen 12%, especially with the recession, but the concept is the same.

You know, I frankly do not care whose fault it is. It disgusts me that people can profit from tax policy.

[nathanm]

millions "don't pay any share" meme.

Once again, they do pay a share of the total tax burden, often a higher proportion of their income than you do. Your desire to blame someone else for your problems aside, you're refusing to see the facts as they actually exist.

I think you have the odd idea that poor people live charmed lives on your dime. Why don't you try living like they do for a while? Perhaps then you'd see it's not all roses.

[custosnox]

You know, I frankly do not care whose fault it is. It disgusts me that people can profit from tax policy.

So it disgusts you that I got back more then I put in, so there for I was able to buy my kids some birthday presents this year, or that I was able to get some of my back child support paid from when I wasn't working?  It disgusts you that I have ended up at the bottom of the economic structure, and as I fight to get a leg up I get money back on my taxes that can help me on the way?  Perhaps it also disgusts you that I am taking advantage of financial aid to get my school paid for so I can have a chance of getting somewhere?  While I'm sure that there are plenty who have taken advantage of the system because they just want something for nothing, I would suggest taking a moment to think about the entire emcompassment of a comment.

[Hoss]

So it disgusts you that I got back more then I put in, so there for I was able to buy my kids some birthday presents this year, or that I was able to get some of my back child support paid from when I wasn't working?  It disgusts you that I have ended up at the bottom of the economic structure, and as I fight to get a leg up I get money back on my taxes that can help me on the way?  Perhaps it also disgusts you that I am taking advantage of financial aid to get my school paid for so I can have a chance of getting somewhere?  While I'm sure that there are plenty who have taken advantage of the system because they just want something for nothing, I would suggest taking a moment to think about the entire emcompassment of a comment.

We ARE talking about Guid here.  Keep that in mind.