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'46% in U.S. don't pay taxes' only half the story
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 8/8/11 | Joe Garofoli, Chronicle Political Writer

Posted on 08/08/2011 12:45:01 PM PDT by SmithL

For some California Tea Party conservatives, it has become a favorite statistic: Nearly half of Americans - 46 percent - don't pay taxes. The number is used to back up their claim that if that many people don't pay taxes, why should the wealthiest individuals pay more?

It is accurate in a sense - 46 percent of U.S. households aren't expected to pay federal income taxes this year.

"But most of those people do pay federal taxes" of some sort, such as payroll taxes, said Roberton Williams, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center, a center-left Washington think tank, and co-author of a widely cited report last month on who pays taxes.

Roughly half of those 76 million American households who don't pay federal income taxes are zeroed out because their income is too low, he said, while the other half - of all income levels - pay no federal income tax because of a variety of exemptions and loopholes.

"It's a much more nuanced story . . .

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: firepersons; johnkerry; nottooswiftboat; nuance; nuanced; planners; police; taxandspend; taxevasion; teachers; yacht; yourtaxdollarsatwork
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Nuanced?

Well that makes it all OK, I guess.

1 posted on 08/08/2011 12:45:05 PM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL
"But most of those people do pay federal taxes" of some sort, such as payroll taxes

Heaven forfend! They have to pay into their own Social Security and Medicare "entitlements"? Woe is them.

2 posted on 08/08/2011 12:49:15 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: SmithL
"You know what word I'm not comfortable with? Nuance. It's not a real word. Like gesture. Gesture's a real word. With gesture you know where you stand. But nuance? I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong." - Modell from the movie "Diner"
3 posted on 08/08/2011 12:50:26 PM PDT by kosciusko51
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To: SmithL
Tax Policy Center, a center-left Washington think tank,

A contradiction in terms and violence to the English Language.
4 posted on 08/08/2011 12:52:21 PM PDT by truthguy (Good intentions are not enough.)
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To: SmithL

Nuanced = that which must be spun.


5 posted on 08/08/2011 12:53:45 PM PDT by NOVACPA
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To: SmithL
"But most of those people do pay federal taxes" of some sort, such as payroll taxes, said Roberton Williams, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center, a center-left Washington think tank, and co-author of a widely cited report last month on who pays taxes.

So what. And a lot of them get all of that - and often much more - through housing vouchers, food stamps, "free" job training/cell phones/school lunches, "crazy checks" for their children, etc., etc.

The net effect is that America has a huge parasitic underclass that needs to be weaned off the gubmint teat.

6 posted on 08/08/2011 12:55:09 PM PDT by WeatherGuy
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To: SmithL

The Macroeconomic Effects of Tax Changes
By Christina D. Romer and David H. Romer
http://emlab.berkeley.edu/users/dromer/papers/RomerandRomerAERJune2010.pdf

“tax increase of 1% of GDP lowers real GDP by almost 3%”


7 posted on 08/08/2011 12:55:11 PM PDT by Son House (The Economic Boom Heard Around The World => TEA Party 2012)
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To: SmithL

How about the ones that pay nothing in, but get a huge (up to $5000) check back from the earned income tax credit? I use to do tax returns during tax season, but got so disgusted I had to quit, with these “poor” people who would come in and get a check back for $5000 when they paid little to nothing in during the year. It’s welfare and wealth redistribution disguised as a tax credit pure and simple. This should be the first thing that is eliminated before any tax increases. Nobody should get back more than they paid in. Period.


8 posted on 08/08/2011 12:56:28 PM PDT by apillar
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To: SmithL

The REAL “other half of the story” would be answering the question, “How many of that 46% who pay no Federal Income Tax RECEIVE money from the taxpayers in the form of welfare, section 8, foodstamps, etc., and refundable tax credits that create tax “refunds” in excess of what was withheld from them (negative income tax).

There is no “nuance” to the story. While some of these people paying no Federal Income Tax may actually still be overtaxed by sales tax, property tax and state and local income taxes, the fact remains they are paying nothing towards the expenses of the Federal Government. If we need “revenue enhancements” we ought to make everyone (or at least a lot more than 54% pay at least something, before going after those who are paying most of the taxes already.


9 posted on 08/08/2011 12:59:08 PM PDT by Above My Pay Grade
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To: SmithL

If the elderly disabled vet and the family that lost their job down the street don’t pay taxes why should i cut into my yacht and caviar fund to support them.

Guffaw!


10 posted on 08/08/2011 1:00:51 PM PDT by Tempest (Ruining the day of corporate butt kissers everywhere.)
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To: apillar
How about the ones that pay nothing in, but get a huge (up to $5000) check
But, but, I'm SURE that money was spent responsibly on the kids for shoes, clothing and rent and ...
11 posted on 08/08/2011 1:00:59 PM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: SmithL

I guess it is a nuance that all of us pay sales tax and gasoline tax but 46% don’t pay income tax?


12 posted on 08/08/2011 1:02:04 PM PDT by pfflier
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To: SmithL

Well, rather than who pays what we can focus on the real issue - that Washington receives an incredible tsunami of tax revenue already, misspends most of it, and has the gall to demand more.


13 posted on 08/08/2011 1:02:39 PM PDT by Mr. Jeeves ( "The right to offend is far more important than any right not to be offended." - Rowan Atkinson)
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To: SmithL
"But most of those people do pay federal taxes" of some sort, such as payroll taxes, said Roberton Williams,...

A total falsehood due to the earned income tax credit. The earned income tax credit is intended to refund lower income families with the amount paid in payroll tax.

14 posted on 08/08/2011 1:05:18 PM PDT by CMAC51
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Mash His Cute Little Nose

We're Looking For a Little Yellow

Donate, monthly if possible

15 posted on 08/08/2011 1:05:28 PM PDT by TheOldLady (FReepmail me to get ON or OFF the ZOT LIGHTNING ping list.)
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To: SmithL

IF YOU DO NOT PAY INCOME TAXES... YOU ARE A PARASITE SUCKING THE LIFE OUT OF THOSE THAT DO... ALONG WITH THE LIFE BLOOD OF THE US ECONOMY... If obama WANTS FAIRNESS... WE ALL MUST SUFFER TOGETHER... THEREFORE EVERYONE THAT HAS ANY INCOME... EVEN A WELFARE CHECK... unEARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT... OR FOOD STAMPS (EBT card) SHOULD PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

LLS


16 posted on 08/08/2011 1:07:44 PM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Certified Al Palin Hobbit Terrorist)
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To: WeatherGuy

You are absolutely correct.


17 posted on 08/08/2011 1:09:21 PM PDT by True Grit
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To: SmithL

Not to mention 20% of the people in America AREN’T FREAKIN AMERICANS!!!!!!!!!!!!


18 posted on 08/08/2011 1:11:05 PM PDT by The Toll
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To: SmithL

Note that in a few weeks the same shit for brains author will compare tax rates in 2010 with the “1950’s” like our idiot President - and will OMIT listing “payroll taxes” as taxes in that discussion.

These guys are a waste of time. We all know it.


19 posted on 08/08/2011 1:12:06 PM PDT by Eldon Tyrell
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To: LibLieSlayer

I whole heartedly agree. If you collect social security or unemployment you have to pay income tax on it, why not welfare?


20 posted on 08/08/2011 1:19:31 PM PDT by anoldafvet (18 months until we're rid of "The Boy Blunder".)
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