[Phantom Lord]

End withholding. It was instituted during WWII to get the government a constant stream of money to fund the war effort. It was supposed to go away when the war ended. It didn't.

You want to see a true tax revolution in America? End withholding and make everyone file quarterly and WRITE A CHECK for what they owe.

[Brett66]

I like the idea of ending witholding. If people scream about having to cut a check and not having the money, maybe the government could make witholding part of your private social security account. You'd still have to cut the check, but some of your check would be put aside for taxes at the first of the year. It would still annoy people to have to cut a check from their account.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"You want to see a true tax revolution in America? End withholding and make everyone file quarterly and WRITE A CHECK for what they owe."

That's brilliant! I'm one of those that pays in only what I owe and not a penny more. No friggin' way do they get my money as an interest-free loan all year to squander like drunken sailors on leave! It's MY money. I earned it, and it needs to be working for ME during the year.

You're absolutely right. No one thinks about it, they just accept it.

As for the original poster: Just read, read, read and educate yourself on SS. Get your own money house in order, and invest all you can for your own retirement. If we ever get any of our money shaken loose from the grasp of the Government, it's going to be a miracle, so do what you can to protect your own future.

Consider any SS money you see in the future as "gravy" on top of your pile of mashed taters (your own retirement savings.) :)

[Mr. K]

how about simply putting the tax you paid and the year-to-date totals in BIG BOLD LETTERS on your paycheck.

I know one idiot who told me he did not pay any taxes because each year he GOT A REFUND

[Badray]

You want to see a true tax revolution in America? End withholding and make everyone file quarterly and WRITE A CHECK for what they owe.

Well, our patient here in the FR Emergency Room has a brain tumor and you (PL) prescribed an aspirin.

While it may relieve some of the pain for a little while, it doesn't solve the underlying problem causing the national headache. The problem isn't the day our taxes are due or even whether they withhold it or we send it in. The Federal Income Tax gives the Federal Government the power to control or destroy us. We have gotten used to the idea that 'they' have a right to our money and a right to know everything about us. They don't. Not if we are free or wish to remain so.

The FairTax (HR 25 / S 25) is the only proposal before Congress that frees us of the requirement to submit to the government as now do. The FairTax rids us of the IRS, the Federal Income Tax, the federal estate and gift taxes, inheritance taxes, and FICA/Medicare taxes.

New goods and services will be taxed. Used goods will not. Businesses will be free of the fiction that they pay taxes (customers pay, businesses collect) and all business to business transactions will be tax free.

A 'prebate' program protects the poor from the progressivity that is normally associated with sales taxes.

The is one rate for everyone.

The tax is collected only one time -- from the end retail user.

There are no exemptions or deductions for anyone.

There are no special favors built in for anyone.

It's fair. It's visible. It simple.

It puts us back in charge. As my FRiend Gabz said, "When I can't control my taxes, I have to control my spending. With the FairTax, I control my taxes so I don't have to control my spending." (did I get that right?)