Yipee! Oklahoma taxes are the lowest!

[Chicken Little]

According the the Tax Foundation, Oklahoma's combined federal, state, and local tax burden is ranked the lowest in the nation in 2007...that's 50th out 50 for you folks who don't do numbers..

[cannon_fodder]

Good deal.  We may make less, but the government TAKES less.

I dont mind taxes, if they are spent responsibly.  I'm afraid more often than not it is proven government is not capable of such action.  Still, better than 25% of our income goes to the government(s).

[midtownnewbie]

I might be a little slow but I don't understand how our tax burden is lower than states that have no state tax, such as Florida.  In Florida, for example, there is no state tax on income and the sales taxes are lower...  What is making ours appear so low?  Does it have anything to do with the average income within the state?  If the typical person makes $50k in Florida and $50k in Oklahoma, does that mean that they would pay more taxes in Florida???

[Conan71]

^^States like Texas with no income tax have exhorbitant property taxes.  My guess is Fla does as well, or either very high sales tax.

They get it one way or another.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

They get it one way or another.

Absolutely.  The only difference is the taxing method and preferrence of local citizens.  A search of previous threads on TulsaNow about this subject will confirm this.

[grahambino]

yeehaw.
i for one am glad we have sub-standard healthcare, dangerous roads and bridges, poor schools, that 20% of us are functionally illiterate & prisons are at 98% capacity.
All for a few percentage points!
Take THAT Mississippi!!

[inteller]

remember, this kind of **** always comes out right before someone tries to raise taxes.

[Chicken Little]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

remember, this kind of **** always comes out right before someone tries to raise taxes.

The Tax Foundation is an low-tax watchdog group.  They are the ones that came up with "tax freedom day".  I seriously doubt they are in collusion with anybody trying to raise anyone's taxes.

The fact is, your taxes are lower than anyone else's, period.  If you think something is worth it, then vote to raise them.  If not, don't.  Regardless, it's helpful to know from whence you are starting.  Whether you choose to vote for new taxes or scream 'till your blue against it, your taxes are the lowest in the US.

[inteller]

i dont see anywhere where these stats take into account the tax rate as a percentage of average income.

[Chicken Little]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

i dont see anywhere where these stats take into account the tax rate as a percentage of average income.

It's on the front page, they're calling it the tax burden, and it's 27.8%.  So, the average Okie forks over 27.8% of his or her income for federal, state, and local taxes.  In the state with the highest taxes, Connecticut, the combined fed, state, and local tax burden is 38.3%.

The US average in 2007 was 32.7%.  Living in Oklahoma, you keep an extra 4.9% of your income.

[swake]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

i dont see anywhere where these stats take into account the tax rate as a percentage of average income.

That due to your not actually reading anything

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by Chicken Little

quote:Originally posted by inteller

i dont see anywhere where these stats take into account the tax rate as a percentage of average income.

It's on the front page, they're calling it the tax burden, and it's 27.8%.  So, the average Okie forks over 27.8% of his or her income for federal, state, and local taxes.  In the state with the highest taxes, Connecticut, the combined fed, state, and local tax burden is 38.3%.

The US average in 2007 was 32.7%.  Living in Oklahoma, you keep an extra 4.9% of your income.

no where in that study do I see where they are using a US average in come or state by state average income.  I've read it three times now.  Also during that time I've noticed that historically Oklahoma has been within 1% of the same tax burden, yet its ranking has varied wildly.  So really its no news.

[Chicken Little]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

no where in that study do I see where they are using a US average in come or state by state average income.  I've read it three times now.  Also during that time I've noticed that historically Oklahoma has been within 1% of the same tax burden, yet its ranking has varied wildly.  So really its no news.

[?]They are using averages throughout.[?]  State averages, national averages...I'm not sure why this is difficult for you...Is it because it does not match up with the truthiness in your gut?[]

Other states raise taxes, and OK drops.  There are fifty variables...get it?  OK doesn't have to change at all for them to change in the rankings.  Sorry it doesn't compute with you.  Nevertheless, it's true; Oklahoma has the lowest taxes in the nation according to the Tax Foundation, a conservative watchdog group.

[Conan71]

Would it also have to do with the % of the population who are at the top Federal tax bracket?  There are a lot of affluent people who commute into NYC from Conn. suburbs, also noticing that NY and NJ are at the top of the heap.  I notice California is also up there on the list as well.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by Chicken Little

quote:Originally posted by inteller

no where in that study do I see where they are using a US average in come or state by state average income.  I've read it three times now.  Also during that time I've noticed that historically Oklahoma has been within 1% of the same tax burden, yet its ranking has varied wildly.  So really its no news.

[?]They are using averages throughout.[?]  State averages, national averages...I'm not sure why this is difficult for you...Is it because it does not match up with the truthiness in your gut?[]

Other states raise taxes, and OK drops.  There are fifty variables...get it?  OK doesn't have to change at all for them to change in the rankings.  Sorry it doesn't compute with you.  Nevertheless, it's true; Oklahoma has the lowest taxes in the nation according to the Tax Foundation, a conservative watchdog group.

um, you can't use both state average income and nationwide average income to arrive at the same rankings.  they are either using one or the other, and no where do they say.