One penny

[heironymouspasparagus]

That said, I would like to end all sales taxes and make it up with a combination of income taxes and property taxes.

Even more regressive than sales tax...property taxes.  Not to mention double, triple, quadruple, etc. taxation.

[swake]

Even more regressive than sales tax...property taxes.  Not to mention double, triple, quadruple, etc. taxation.

Property taxes aren't regressive, the more expensive home you own, the more you. Additionally it taxes businesses as well.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Property taxes aren't regressive, the more expensive home you own, the more you. Additionally it taxes businesses as well.

Pay taxes on the sale of the piece of land to put the house on.
Pay taxes on the income earned to buy the house.
Pay taxes on the materials used to build the house.
Pay taxes on the profit of the company (labor) hired to build the house.
Pay taxes on the taxes the workers pay for the wages they make to build the house.  (Awkward, but you know what it means....)
Pay taxes on the paint, siding, appliances, etc bought to repair/remodel/rebuild the house.
Pay taxes on the trees/shrubs/lawn used to make your place "your own".

And THEN pay taxes to live in that tax house.

So what we have is really a variation on the theme of feudal Europe in medieval times....we are all feudal serfs to the guy in the castle.

Nothing regressive there.... And our ancestors fought a war to get us out from under a tea tax that amounted to about 1.5%.

I guess it could be worse - we could have to pay a tax just to breath and walk around.  Like they had to do not all that long ago!  (Not paying that tax is what Sam put Henry in jail for.)

[swake]

Pay taxes on the sale of the piece of land to put the house on.
Pay taxes on the income earned to buy the house.
Pay taxes on the materials used to build the house.
Pay taxes on the profit of the company (labor) hired to build the house.
Pay taxes on the taxes the workers pay for the wages they make to build the house.  (Awkward, but you know what it means....)
Pay taxes on the paint, siding, appliances, etc bought to repair/remodel/rebuild the house.
Pay taxes on the trees/shrubs/lawn used to make your place "your own".

And THEN pay taxes to live in that tax house.

So what we have is really a variation on the theme of feudal Europe in medieval times....we are all feudal serfs to the guy in the castle.

Nothing regressive there.... And our ancestors fought a war to get us out from under a tea tax that amounted to about 1.5%.

I guess it could be worse - we could have to pay a tax just to breath and walk around.  Like they had to do not all that long ago!  (Not paying that tax is what Sam put Henry in jail for.)

None of that make the tax regressive.

[heironymouspasparagus]

None of that make the tax regressive.

Wow.....  just wow!

[swake]

Wow.....  just wow!

You need to look up the definition of a regressive tax.

[AquaMan]

How is it regressive H? You pay less taxes for less house (appraised value). Therefore if you buy more house, you pay more tax.

Regressive would be if the tax were a flat $1000 for every house no matter what the value. That would force the lower appraised home to pay a larger % of its value and the higher appraised home to pay % less.

What you have described is closer to a value added analysis of the building process which btw is not regressive. That will drive you crazy because when taken in the aggregate means we all pay more in taxes than we realize. Does that make sense?

[heironymouspasparagus]

How is it regressive H? You pay less taxes for less house (appraised value). Therefore if you buy more house, you pay more tax.

Regressive would be if the tax were a flat $1000 for every house no matter what the value. That would force the lower appraised home to pay a larger % of its value and the higher appraised home to pay % less.

What you have described is closer to a value added analysis of the building process which btw is not regressive. That will drive you crazy because when taken in the aggregate means we all pay more in taxes than we realize. Does that make sense?

I guess I was just too subtle...or obscure....note the comment "Nothing regressive there.... And our ancestors fought a war to get us out from under a tea tax that amounted to about 1.5%."

Spelling it out even more - while it may not be regressive, it puts the lie to the idea that "what's yours is yours".  What's "yours" is actually a long term lease from the government.  An oath of fealty to the "Lord of the Manor" after paying all the previous homage to the various entities that put their hand in your pocket on the way to achieving your American Dream of home ownership.  Layer after layer after layer of taxes.  Double, triple, quadruple and more taxation.

When it's all said and done, we are probably in the 20 to 30% range for taxes just to get to that point of home ownership.  Plus, the ongoing 1% or so for property homage.  Frog in a pot of cold water....until it heats up and it's too late.


Is that better?

[AquaMan]

How would you prefer that we pay for the streets that connect to your property, the street lights that light it, the police and firemen who protect it, the schools to boost its value, the water pipes that keep you from having to dig a well and the laws that protect your property from having a pig farm move across the street?

Would you like us to just bill you?

[Red Arrow]

How would you prefer that we pay for the streets that connect to your property, the street lights that light it, the police and firemen who protect it, the schools to boost its value, the water pipes that keep you from having to dig a well and the laws that protect your property from having a pig farm move across the street?

With someone else's money, of course.

[heironymouspasparagus]

With someone else's money, of course.

Yeah, right.... do you hear me whining about the taxes I pay for the services I get?  Well, yeah, I b$tch about everything - keeps you alert - and I also recognize the reality of living in this society, and choose to continue....unlike some of those millionaires who pay much lower overall percentages, but still renounce citizenship and "leave" the country - except they tend to stick around to enjoy the living without paying their "dues"....that's ok - they are entitled after all, and I, as one of the millions of minions shouldn't really complain that I get to help them build their dream.  After all, they ARE the most important!!  And it's only one penny.....


Nice try, though.

[heironymouspasparagus]

How would you prefer that we pay for the streets that connect to your property, the street lights that light it, the police and firemen who protect it, the schools to boost its value, the water pipes that keep you from having to dig a well and the laws that protect your property from having a pig farm move across the street?

Would you like us to just bill you?

I do get billed.  Repeatedly, in many ways.  As do you.




I guess the poll tax reference was just way too obscure....or everyone just went on past without notice....

[davideinstein]

A combination of taxes is the best. And of course, getting rid of inept people in office that can't manage money well.

[Conan71]

Property taxes aren't regressive, the more expensive home you own, the more you. Additionally it taxes businesses as well.

Other than the ones who get a handsome break on property taxes for locating here.

[swake]

Other than the ones who get a handsome break on property taxes for locating here.

Well, that should be very simply illegal, nationally, and banned as part of trade treaties as well.