The Insidious Tax Many Americans Have No Idea They’ve Been Paying

Townhall.com ^ | April 15, 2019 | Ross Marchant

[Seven_0]

Want to raise tarrifs?

Fine.

Cut income taxes to match.

Isn't that what Trump did?

[NorthMountain]

It’s April 15, so you have an answer:

How much did your Federal tax payment change from 2017 to 2018?

[Seven_0]

I can’t say for sure. My income went up significantly. Proportionally, my taxes went up less than my income.

[NorthMountain]

My income increased slightly. My tax payment decreased slightly.

I have no idea the difference in total individual income tax receipts to Fedzilla between 2018 and 2017, nor the difference in tariff receipts between 2018 and 2017.

[Seven_0]

I was taught that tariffs were bad but I am seeing advantages to them. We did well when we had tariffs. Income tax makes labor more expensive, tariffs make imports more expensive.

[central_va]

Income tax makes labor more expensive, tariffs make imports more expensive.

You win the common sense award today. Bravo!

[RipSawyer]

When I moved to my current home in 1972 Western Sizzlin’ had a TWELVE ounce steak with a HUGE baked potato, really I don’t even know where to find one that big now, a salad and drink for $1.69. What happened since? The dollar has been devalued and taxes raised to the point that the sales tax alone on a restaurant meal here where I live is now more than the meal PLUS tax was in 1972. I pay enough in one year in sales tax to have supported a family well when I was in first grade back in 1950 and I do that on a fixed retirement income. If I were still making money as I did when I had a business I would be paying far more. I spent more at the grocery store today than I paid for two months rent on a three bedroom brick house back in 1969 and I didn’t fill the cart even half full.

[NorthMountain]

All taxes are bad; some are worse than others. Any tax used to pay for something other than the Constitutionally authorized functions of government is evil.

Yes, that means our current tax structure is evil.

[Henry Hnyellar]

Look into those who “taught” you. Enlightenment will follow.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I’m still trying to figure out how McDonalds is charging $5 (or more) for a Big Mac.

Huh?

2 for five is the price in this neck of the woods.

[Squantos]

War of 1812 ruined my credit !

[mabarker1]

LOL !!!

[grania]

FWIW, I live on a budget. My daily expenses are what I watch very closely so I have money for essential living expenses and vacations. Over these months, I've actually had an easier time staying within my parameters. My conclusion....businesses compete and charge what they will that still keeps customers.

Another point: That "tariff tax" is more than covered for most folks because of increases in wages and working hours, availability of part time opportunities to earn some cash, and the weekly savings from improved tax brackets. If that tax is being paid by anyone, it's upper-tier folks who buy pricey imported items which had been undermining fair pricing with predator pricing.

[grania]

FWIW, I get a designer coffee, a McChicken (no bun), and an apple pie for less than $5, including tax. But you are correct. Longhorn has a $7.99 luncheon special with a huge hamburger + terrific toppings and salad or soup. It's an easy two meals for not much more money.

McDs charges what the traffic will bear for their expensive items. The best thing to do is go elsewhere when they get too pricey.

[Kickass Conservative]

The 2 FOR 5 Offer rolls around her once in a while. When it does it’s Big Mac time for me. #;^)

The Mickey D’s here pays $11.50 an hour to start. They have to make that cost back somewhere, but a regularMenu priced Big Mac still costs more than an Double Double at In&Out.