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Die staat (en plaaslike) belastingbeleid
Daggaverkope is wettig en word in nege state belas. State hef tans drie soorte dagga -belasting op: as 'n persentasie van die prys (die kleinhandels- of groothandelprys), gebaseer op gewig (d.w.s. per ons), en gebaseer op die sterkte van die geneesmiddel (dws THC -vlak). Sommige state gebruik 'n kombinasie van hierdie belasting.
HOEVEEL INKOMSTE STAAN STAAT EN PLAASLIKE REGERING UIT MARIJUANA -BELASTINGE?
Alhoewel dit onder federale wet verbied is, is daggaverkope wettig en word dit in nege state belas: Alaska, Kalifornië, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon en Washington. Dagga is wettig in Maine en Vermont, maar geen van die state het nog sy belastingstelsel ingestel nie. Die District of Columbia het ook dagga gewettig, maar die kongres verhoed tans dat die stad verkope kan reguleer en belas (figuur 1).
Colorado en Washington het dagga-belasting ingevorder sedert 2014. In die kalenderjaar 2018 het Colorado $ 267 miljoen ingesamel en Washington het $ 439 miljoen in die staat se dagga-belasting ingesamel, of ongeveer 1 persent van die inkomste van die staat en die plaaslike eie bron in elke staat. Vier ander state het 'n jaarlikse belastinginkomste van die staat se dagga gerapporteer in 2018: Alaska ($ 15 miljoen), Kalifornië ($ 354 miljoen), Nevada ($ 87 miljoen) en Oregon ($ 94 miljoen). Alle totale was minder as 1 persent van die algemene inkomste van die staat en die plaaslike eie bron. (Let wel: Nie een van hierdie totale bevat plaaslike belastinginkomste nie.)
Mediese dagga is wettig in 33 state, en sommige van hierdie state hef belasting op die aankoop. Maar hierdie belastingkoerse is dikwels dieselfde as of naby aan die staat se algemene verkoopbelastingkoers en lewer nie veel inkomste nie.
HOE VERSKIL BELASTINGSTARIEWE VAN MARIJUANA?
Daar is drie maniere waarop staats- en plaaslike regerings dagga belas.
Persentasie-van-prys. Hierdie belasting is soortgelyk aan 'n kleinhandelbelasting waar die verbruiker belasting op die koopprys betaal en die kleinhandelaar dit aan die staat oorbetaal. 'N Paar state hef hul persentasie prysbelasting op die groothandeltransaksie, maar dit word aanvaar dat hierdie koste dan in die finale koopprys aan die verbruiker oorgedra word. Sommige state laat lokaliteite ook 'n persentasie van prysbelasting hef - gewoonlik met 'n maksimum tarief.
Gewig gebaseer. Hierdie belasting is soortgelyk aan sigaretbelasting, behalwe dat die belasting gebaseer is op die gewig van die dagga -produk in plaas daarvan om per pakkie sigarette te belas. State met hierdie tipe belasting bepaal ook gewoonlik verskillende tariewe vir verskillende dagga -produkte. Kalifornië hef byvoorbeeld 'n belasting van $ 9,65 per ons op dagga blomme, 'n belasting van $ 2,87 per ons op dagga blare en 'n belasting van $ 1,35 per ons op vars plantmateriaal. Soos met ander groothandelsbelasting, word aangeneem dat die grootste deel van hierdie koste in die finale koopprys aan die verbruiker oorgedra word.
Kraggebaseerd. Hierdie belasting is soortgelyk aan alkoholbelasting, behalwe dat belasting in plaas van belasting op drankies met 'n hoër persentasie alkohol teen hoër tariewe (dws drank teen 'n hoër koers as bier) belas word, gebaseer is op die THC -vlak van die dagga -produk. Illinois is tans die enigste staat met 'n THC-belasting. Dit belas produkte met 'n TCH -inhoud van 35 persent of minder teen 10 persent van die kleinhandelprys en diegene met meer as 35 persent teen 25 persent van die kleinhandelprys. Alle produkte wat met dagga toegedien word (byvoorbeeld eetgoed) word teen 20 persent van die kleinhandelprys belas.
Sommige state hef bo en behalwe die aksyns ook hul algemene verkoopsbelasting op die aankoop van dagga.
Hoe gebruik state dagga -inkomste?
Tot dusver het elke staat wat dagga belas, ten minste 'n deel van die inkomste wat daaruit voortspruit, aan spesifieke programme bestee:
- stuur die helfte van sy inkomste na sy algemene fonds en die helfte na programme wat daarop gemik is om herhaaldelike misdrywe te verminder. inkomste betaal vir administratiewe koste verbonde aan die wettiging van dagga, en gebruik dan oortollige fondse vir programme wat verband hou met dwelmgebruik, insluitend ekonomiese ontwikkeling, akademiese studies en jeugprogramme. inkomste word toegewy aan opvoedingsprogramme. inkomste betaal eers vir administratiewe koste verbonde aan die wettiging van dagga. Die oorblywende inkomste word dan verdeel tussen die algemene fonds, programme wat die pogings tot hervorming van strafregtelike hulpmiddels, programme vir dwelmmisbruik en oordrag van plaaslike owerhede ondersteun.
- As Maine belastinginkomste begin invorder, sal dit sy inkomste eweredig verdeel tussen openbare gesondheids- en veiligheidsprogramme en opleidingsprogramme vir wetstoepassing wat verband hou met die wettiging van dagga. versprei sy inkomste na verskeie openbare veiligheidsprogramme. inkomste word gestuur aan onderwysprogramme en sy reëndagfonds. bestee sy inkomste aan onderwysprogramme, dwelmvoorkomings- en behandelingsprogramme en oordragte aan plaaslike regerings. bestee sy inkomste aan gesondheidsprogramme.
Opgedateer Mei 2020
Dadayan, Lucy. 2019. "Bets state op sonde? Die troebel toekoms van staatsbelasting." “Washington, DC: Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.
Marron, Donald. 2015. "Moet ons belasting op interniteite soos eksterniteite belas?" Washington, DC: Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.
Marron, Donald en Adele Morris. 2016. "Hoe moet regerings inkomste uit korrektiewe belasting gebruik?" Washington, DC: Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.
Hoër belasting word gebruik om sosiale programme te finansier
'N Belastingverlaging help nie noodwendig 'n ekonomie nie. Jy moet oorweeg waaraan die inkomste uit daardie belasting bestee word voordat u kan bepaal watter uitwerking die besnoeiing op die ekonomie sal hê. Uit hierdie bespreking sien ons egter die volgende algemene neigings:
- Die vermindering van belasting en verkwistende uitgawes sal 'n ekonomie help as gevolg van die belemmerende effek wat belasting veroorsaak. Die vermindering van belasting en nuttige programme bevoordeel die ekonomie al dan nie.
- 'N Sekere staatsuitgawes word vereis in die weermag, die polisie en die hofstelsel. 'N Land wat nie voldoende geld in hierdie gebiede spandeer nie, het 'n depressiewe ekonomie. Te veel besteding in hierdie gebiede is verkwistend.
- 'N Land benodig ook infrastruktuur om 'n hoë vlak van ekonomiese aktiwiteit te hê. Baie van hierdie infrastruktuur kan nie voldoende deur die private sektor verskaf word nie, daarom moet regerings geld in hierdie gebied bestee om ekonomiese groei te verseker. Te veel besteding of besteding aan die verkeerde infrastruktuur kan egter verkwistende en stadige ekonomiese groei wees.
- As mense van nature geneig is om hul eie geld aan onderwys en gesondheidsorg te bestee, sal belasting wat vir sosiale programme gebruik word, ekonomiese groei waarskynlik vertraag. Sosiale uitgawes vir gesinne met 'n lae inkomste is baie beter vir die ekonomie as universele programme.
- As mense nie geneig is om hul eie opvoeding en gesondheidsorg te bestee nie, kan dit goed wees om hierdie goedere te voorsien, aangesien die hele samelewing baat by gesonde en opgeleide arbeidsmag.
Die regering wat alle sosiale programme beëindig, is nie 'n oplossing vir hierdie kwessies nie. Hierdie programme kan baie voordele inhou wat nie in ekonomiese groei gemeet word nie. Daar sal egter waarskynlik 'n verlangsaming in die ekonomiese groei plaasvind namate hierdie programme uitgebrei word, sodat dit altyd in gedagte gehou moet word. As die program genoeg ander voordele inhou, wil die samelewing as geheel 'n laer ekonomiese groei hê in ruil vir meer sosiale programme.
Hulpbronsentrum
Deur die geskiedenis heen het elke georganiseerde samelewing 'n regeringsvorm gehad. In vrye samelewings was die regering se doelwitte om individuele vryhede te beskerm en die welsyn van die samelewing as geheel te bevorder.
Om hul uitgawes te dek, benodig die regering 'n inkomste, genaamd & quotrevenue, & quot; wat dit deur belasting verhoog. In ons land hef regerings verskillende soorte belasting op individue en ondernemings. Die federale regering steun hoofsaaklik op inkomstebelasting vir sy inkomste. Staatsregerings is afhanklik van beide inkomste- en verkoopsbelasting. Die meeste provinsies en stadsregerings gebruik eiendomsbelasting om hul inkomste te verhoog.
Staatsdienste
Ons Amerikaanse ekonomie is gebaseer op die stelsel van vrye ondernemings. Verbruikers is vry om te besluit hoe hulle hul tyd en geld wil bestee of belê. Die doel van produsente is om wins te maak deur aan die verbruikersvraag te voldoen. Openlike mededinging tussen produsente lei gewoonlik daartoe dat hulle die beste kwaliteit goedere of dienste teen die laagste moontlike pryse lewer.
Die gratis ondernemingstelsel lewer nie al die dienste wat die samelewing benodig nie. Sommige dienste word doeltreffender gelewer wanneer regeringsinstansies dit beplan en administreer. Twee goeie voorbeelde is nasionale verdediging en staats- of plaaslike polisiebeskerming. Almal vind baat by hierdie dienste, en die mees praktiese manier om daarvoor te betaal, is deur belasting, in plaas van 'n stelsel van diensgelde. Ander voorbeelde is die bestuur van ons natuurlike hulpbronne, soos ons watertoevoer of grond in die openbaar, en die bou van hospitale of snelweë. Belasting word ingesamel om te betaal vir die beplanning van hierdie dienste en om konstruksie of onderhoud te finansier. Inkomste word ook ingesamel deur gebruikersfooie, soos by ingange na nasionale parke of by tolhokke op snelweë en brûe.
Die samelewing trek voordeel uit 'n veilige en gesonde omgewing. In die stelsel vir gratis ondernemings is daar egter dikwels min aansporing vir besighede om die ekstra koste te betaal om hierdie omgewing te onderhou. Daarom stel die regering regulasies op vir produsente, soos motorvervaardigers, wat lugbesoedelingsbeheer moet installeer. Hierdie kontroles voeg dikwels koste by tot die prys van nuwe motors. Daar is ook regulasies om die gebruik van advertensieborde en borde langs snelweë te beheer. Ander regulasies beheer die herwinning van grond na strookmynbou, storting van industriële afval in strome en riviere en geraasbesoedeling op lughawens.
Die gratis ondernemingstelsel is gebaseer op mededinging tussen besighede. Met mededinging oorleef slegs die doeltreffendste ondernemings. Om te verseker dat daar 'n mate van mededinging is, dwing die Federale Regering streng wette op & quotantitrust & quot op om te verhoed dat iemand monopolie beheer oor 'n mark verkry.
Sommige dienste, wat bekend staan as 'natuurlike monopolieë', word doeltreffender gelewer as daar mededinging is. Die bekendste voorbeelde is die nutsmaatskappye wat water, aardgas en elektrisiteit verskaf vir huishoudelike en besigheidsgebruik. Aangesien daar nie mededinging is nie, regeer regeringsinstansies die dienste, pryse en winste van die nutsmaatskappye noukeurig.
Die gratis ondernemingstelsel veronderstel dat verbruikers ingelig is oor die kwaliteit of veiligheid van wat hulle koop. In ons moderne samelewing is dit egter vir verbruikers dikwels onmoontlik om ingeligte keuses te maak. Ter wille van openbare beskerming, verleen en handhaaf regeringsagentskappe op federale, staats- en plaaslike vlak regulasies. Daar is regulasies wat die kwaliteit en veiligheid van dinge soos huisbou, motors en elektriese toestelle dek. Daar is ook regulasies vir finansiële dienste wat deur banke, versekeringsmaatskappye en aandelemakelaars gelewer word. 'N Ander belangrike vorm van verbruikersbeskerming is die gebruik van lisensies om te verhoed dat ongekwalifiseerde mense op sekere gebiede werk, soos medisyne of die boubedryf.
Ons kinders ontvang hul opvoeding hoofsaaklik op openbare koste. Stads- en provinsiale regerings het die primêre verantwoordelikheid vir elementêre en sekondêre onderwys. Die meeste state ondersteun kolleges en universiteite. Die federale regering ondersteun onderwys deur middel van toelaes aan state vir elementêre, sekondêre en beroepsonderwys. Federale toelaes wat gebruik word om navorsing te doen, is 'n belangrike bron van geld vir kolleges en universiteite.
Sedert die dertigerjare lewer die federale regering inkomste of dienste, wat dikwels 'n veiligheidsnet genoem word, vir behoeftiges. Belangrike programme sluit in gesondheidsdienste vir bejaardes en finansiële hulp aan gestremdes en werkloses. Ander groot programme sluit in finansiële hulp aan gesinne met afhanklike kinders en maatskaplike dienste vir individue en gesinne met 'n lae inkomste.
Belasting in die Verenigde State
Belasting op inkomste
Nie alle inkomstebelasting word op dieselfde manier belas nie. Belastingbetalers wat aandele in 'n korporasie besit en dit dan teen wins of verlies verkoop, moet dit byvoorbeeld op 'n spesiale skedule rapporteer. Hierdie item en enige ander winste of verliese word afsonderlik bereken voordat dit by ander inkomste gevoeg word. Ter vergelyking, word die rente wat hulle op geld in 'n gewone spaarrekening verdien, ingesluit by lone, salarisse en ander 'buitengewone' inkomste. Daar is ook baie soorte belastingvrye en belastinguitgestelde spaarplanne beskikbaar wat 'n invloed op mense se belasting het.
Betaalbelasting is 'n belangrike bron van inkomste vir die federale regering. Werkgewers is verantwoordelik vir die betaling van hierdie belasting, wat sosiale sekerheidsversekering en werkloosheidsvergoeding insluit. Werknemers betaal ook in by die sosiale sekerheidsprogram deur geld wat uit hul salaris teruggehou word. Sommige staatsregerings gebruik ook loonbelasting om vir die staat se werkloosheidsvergoedingsprogramme te betaal.
Deur die jare het die bedrag wat aan sosiale sekerheidsbelasting betaal is, aansienlik toegeneem. Dit is omdat daar minder werkers is wat in die stelsel inbetaal vir elke afgetrede persoon wat nou voordele ontvang. Sommige werkers betaal vandag meer belasting op sosiale sekerheid as inkomstebelasting.
Belasting op verbruik
Aksynsbelasting, wat soms 'luxuusbelasting' genoem word, word deur die staat sowel as die federale regering gebruik. Voorbeelde van items onderhewig aan federale aksynsbelasting is swaar bande, hengeltoerusting, vliegtuigkaartjies, petrol, bier en drank, vuurwapens en sigarette.
Die doel van aksynsbelasting is om die las van die belasting op die verbruiker te plaas. 'N Goeie voorbeeld van hierdie gebruik van aksyns is die aksynsbelasting op petrol. Regerings gebruik die inkomste uit hierdie belasting om snelweë, brûe en massavervoerstelsels te bou en te onderhou. Slegs mense wat petrol koop - wat die snelweë gebruik - betaal die belasting.
Sommige items word belas om die gebruik daarvan te ontmoedig. Dit geld vir aksynsbelasting op alkohol en tabak. Aksynsbelasting word ook gebruik tydens 'n oorlog of nasionale noodgeval. Deur die koste van skaars items te verhoog, kan die regering die vraag na hierdie items verminder.
Belasting op eiendom en rykdom
Die eiendomsbelasting is die belangrikste bron van inkomste van die plaaslike regering. Die meeste plekke belas privaat huise, grond en sake -eiendom op grond van die waarde van die eiendom. Gewoonlik word die belasting maandeliks saam met die verbandbetaling betaal. Die een wat die verband hou, soos 'n bank, hou die geld in 'n & quotescrow & quot rekening. Betalings word dan gemaak vir die eienaar van die eiendom.
Sommige staats- en plaaslike regerings hef ook belasting op die waarde van sekere soorte "persoonlike" eiendom. Voorbeelde van persoonlike eiendom wat gereeld belas word, is motors, bote, ontspanningsvoertuie en vee.
Eiendomsbelasting maak meer as driekwart van die inkomste uit belasting op rykdom uit. Ander belasting wat op rykdom gehef word, sluit erf-, boedel- en geskenkbelasting in.
Die federale inkomstebelasting
'N Basiese beginsel onderliggend aan die inkomstebelastingwette van die Verenigde State is dat mense volgens hul betaalbaarheid belas moet word. "Belastingbetalers met dieselfde totale inkomste het moontlik nie dieselfde betaalvermoë nie. Diegene met hoë mediese rekeninge, verbandlenings of ander toelaatbare uitgawes kan hierdie bedrae aftrek as 'gekwoteerde aftrekkings' om hul belasbare inkomste te verminder. Op dieselfde manier kan belastingbetalers 'n sekere bedrag op hul belastingopgawes vir elke toelaatbare kwotasie aftrek. & Quot Deur die belasbare inkomste te verlaag, ondersteun hierdie vrystellings en aftrekkings die basiese beginsel van belasting volgens betaalvermoë.
Diegene met 'n hoë belasbare inkomste betaal 'n groter persentasie van hul inkomste in belasting. Hierdie persentasie is die & kwotaks koers. & Quot Aangesien diegene met 'n hoër belasbare inkomste 'n hoër persentasie betaal, is die federale inkomstebelasting 'n "progressiewe" belasting.
Verkope en aksyns word in vergelyking as 'regressief' beskou. 'Omdat die goedere teen dieselfde persentasie belas word, betaal diegene met 'n laer inkomste 'n groter persentasie van hul inkomste in verkoop- en aksynsbelasting. Federale inkomstebelasting word ingesamel op 'n "terugbetaalstelsel". Die meeste werkgewers moet belasting van die salarisse van hul werknemers weerhou en die geld vir deposito in die Algemene Fonds van die Tesourie stuur. Selfstandige individue en besighede moet hul belasting in gereelde paaiemente betaal, bekend as geraamde belastingbetalings. Deur belasting te betaal deur middel van terughouding of geraamde belasting gedurende die jaar, help dit om die regering se uitgawes vir die leen van geld te verminder. Dit bied ook 'n makliker manier vir belastingbetalers om hul belasting te betaal. Om die invorderingskoste te beperk, verwag die Internal Revenue Service dat alle belastingbetalers vrywillig aan die wet voldoen. Die meeste belastingbetalers bepaal hoeveel belasting hulle moet betaal en dien hul inkomstebelastingopgawe in teen die datum waarop dit betaal moet word. Sonder hierdie vrywillige nakoming sou dit die Internal Revenue Service baie meer kos om dieselfde hoeveelheid inkomste in te samel.
Jou federale dollar
Die federale regering werk op 'n boekjaar wat op 1 Oktober begin en eindig op 30 September. Die grootste deel van die inkomste van die federale regering kom uit persoonlike inkomstebelasting. Ander inkomstebronne sluit in sosiale sekerheids- en ander versekeringsbelasting en -bydraes, korporatiewe inkomstebelasting, aksynsbelasting.
Federale kwitansies word aan baie programme bestee. Onder die grootste is sosiale sekerheid en Medicare. 'N Ander groot deel van die federale besteding is vir nasionale verdediging, en sluit pensioene vir afgetrede militêre personeel en verdedigingsverwante atoomenergie-aktiwiteite in.
'N Ander groot staatsuitgawe is netto rente, of rentebetalings op die staatskuld minus rente wat trustfondse ontvang en ander rente wat die regering ontvang. Die federale regering leen geld deur die verkoop van tesourie -effekte (rekeninge, note en effekte), Amerikaanse spaarobligasies en ander sekuriteite.
Inkomstesekuriteitsprogramme, insluitend werkloosheidsvergoeding, pensioen- en ongeskiktheidsprogramme, en voordele soos kosseëls en behuisingsubsidies kom ook uit die inkomste van die federale regering. Die federale regering bestee ook geld aan gesondheidsorg, insluitend hulp aan armes deur middel van die Medicaid -program, die opleiding van gesondheidswerkers en mediese navorsingsaktiwiteite.
Onderwysprogramme word ook befonds deur federale inkomste. Hierdie programme sluit onderwys, opleiding en maatskaplike dienste in, soos toelaes aan laerskole, sekondêre en beroepskole en hulp aan kolleges en universiteite. In hierdie kategorie is ook toelaes wat aan state vir maatskaplike dienste programme toegeken word, ingesluit.
Veterane en hul afhanklikes ontvang ook voordele van die federale regering. Dit het pensioene, mediese dienste, opleidingsopleiding en lewensversekeringsprogramme ingesluit.
Vervoer is 'n ander uitgawekategorie en bevat toelaes aan state en plaaslike regering vir die aanleg van snelweë, massavervoerstelsels en lughawens. Die koste van die bedryf van die kuswag, die regulering van die lugweë en hulp aan spoorweë en gestuur word ook in hierdie kategorie ingesluit.
Daar is baie ander dienste en aktiwiteite van die Federale Regering, insluitend die beskerming van natuurlike hulpbronne, beskerming van die omgewing en die instandhouding van ontspanningsgebiede en openbare gronde. Daarbenewens is daar hulp aan die buiteland, ramphulp en gemeenskaps- en streeksontwikkeling. Ander regeringsdienste is energie -navorsing, ontwikkeling en bewaring, en ruimteverkenning en ander wetenskaplike navorsing. Die regering moet betaal vir sy administratiewe aktiwiteite, saam met federale wetstoepassing en federale gevangenisse, betalings aan die posdiens, hulp aan klein ondernemings en verbandfinansieringsversekering. Laastens verskaf die regering geld vir oesubsidies, landbounavorsing en die bewaring van landbougrond.
Top 20 slegste maniere waarop die regering u belastinggeld vermors het
Elke jaar stel die senator van Oklahoma, Tom Coburn, en sy personeel 'n volledige hoeveelheid verkwistende staatsuitgawes van daardie jaar saam. Die 2014 -boekie is propvol afval van die regering, wat wissel van die oortollige tot die absurde. O, en terloops, die Amerikaanse nasionale skuld nader $ 18 triljoen.
Hier is 'n lys van my persoonlike ergste van die ergste in federale afval:
Sweedse masserings vir konyne: $ 387,000
Die National Institutes of Health het hierdie bedrag van ses syfers aan die
vir komplimentêre en alternatiewe medisyne om te bepaal of Sweedse massages nuttig sou wees om van 'n siekte te herstel.
'' 'N Groep hase het daagliks afval gekry van 'n' meganiese toestel wat die lang, vloeiende beroertes wat in Sweedse masserings gebruik word 'naboots.'
Onderrig vir bergleeus om op 'n trapmeul te ry: $ 856,000
Die National Science Foundation het byna 'n miljoen belastingbetalers betaal om vas te stel of bergleeus in gevangenskap opgelei kan word om op 'n trapmeul te ry. Die navorser van die Universiteit van Kalifornië-Santa Cruz het selfs gespog oor die ontvangs van die beurs en gesê: "Mense het net nie geglo dat jy 'n bergleeu op 'n trapmeul kan kry nie, en dit het my drie jaar geneem om 'n fasiliteit te vind wat bereid was om te probeer." As iemand gewonder het, het dit die leeus al agt maande geneem om te leer.
Om te bestudeer hoeveel keer 'hangry' mense 'n voodoo -pop steek: $ 331,000
Nadat die bergleeus leer oor trapmeulens, het die National Science Foundation ook 'n studie befonds om die gevolgtrekking te maak dat honger mense meer kwaad en aggressief is. Hulle het hierdie teorie getoets deur eggenote toe te laat om spelde in voodoo -poppe te steek namate hul 'hanger' groei.
'In die een en twintig agtereenvolgende aande het 107 paartjies die kans gekry om tot 51 penne in 'n voodoo-pop te sit wat hul eggenoot verteenwoordig. Die penstoot gebeur in die geheim, weg van die ander maat. Deelnemers het toe die aantal penne wat hulle in die poppe gesteek het, aangeteken. Hierdie toetse het aan die lig gebring wat vir baie paartjies reeds voor die hand liggend is: 'n eggenoot met 'n lae bloedsuiker was kwater en het meer penne in die pop gesteek.
Bestudeer die dobbelgewoontes van ape: $ 171,000
'N Ander NSF -toekenning befonds die studie van dobbel -ape. Onder die dekmantel van die bestudering van die 'hot-hand bias' by menslike dobbelaars, het die
'n rekenaarspeletjie bedink, ape geleer om dit te speel en ondersoek hoe hulle reageer op wen en verloor. Dit lyk asof 'n doktorale kandidaat wat aan die studie gewerk het, geleer het: "Gelukkig hou ape daarvan om te dobbel." Belastingbetalers, aan die ander kant, sal nie bly wees om uit te vind dat hierdie studie tot Mei 2018 sal voortduur nie.
Vervaardiging van die kinders se musiekblyspel: Zombie in Love: $ 10,000
ype = "node" titel teks-versiering: onderstreep font-weight: bold "> Befondsing van 'n 'Stoner Symphony': $ 15,000
Die ligging van hierdie opvoering behoort niemand te skok nie. Wat belastingbetalers beslis sal skok, is die hoeveelheid geld wat aan die Colorado Symphony Orchestra verskaf is om “Classically Cannabis: The High Note Series” aan te bied. Die program was nie net verwant aan die program nie; die mense is aangemoedig om in te asem (en af te kou) terwyl hulle kyk.
'Een van die drie konserte, genaamd Summer Monsoon, adverteer op sy webwerf:' Rook op en vul u maag met Manna se gekruide varkvleis, sesamsaad Teriyaki -hoender en Filippynse Empanadas. '
Subsidiëring van Alpaca Poop: $ 50,000
Benewens hierdie projek wat die besnoeiing vir sen.Coburn maak, is hierdie juweeltjie verlede maand ook gedek deur CNSNews.com. Die Amerikaanse departement van landbou het 'n stewige bedrag opgedok om Alpaca "Poop Packs" te help ontwikkel en te bemark vir gebruik as kunsmis. Dit is letterlik afval van die regering.
Gesinkroniseerde swem vir see -ape: $ 307.524
Hierdie projek het die steun van drie regeringsinstansies (National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, en U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation) gekry. In 'n poging om die werveling wat deur see -ape deur die water beweeg, te bestudeer, het navorsers 'n 'lasergeleide', 'gechoreografeerde' span gesinkroniseerde swem -ape ontwikkel.
Stel 'n "Hallucinatory" Roosevelt/Elvis -vertoning op: $ 10,000
In die moontlikheid die vreemdste projek op hierdie lys, het die NEA gehelp om die produksie van 'n vertoning te finansier oor die hallusinerende reis van 'n meisie wat voorgee dat sy Elvis is en saam met die 26ste president van Amerika rondloop.
'In 'n toneel hallusineer Ann dat sy Elvis is en dat sy en Teddy in hul onderklere in hul hotelkamer ronddwaal, terwyl Teddy uiteindelik op Elvis se rug rondry asof hy 'n bonkige bronco is.
Befondsing Alarmistiese videospeletjie vir klimaatsverandering: $ 5,2 miljoen
Aangesien peilings toon dat klimaatsverandering laas op die prioriteitslys van die Amerikaners dood is, het die NSF die behoefte gevoel om te help om 'aktivisme vir klimaatsverandering' aan te spoor. Hulle het betaal
om 'n videospeletjie te ontwikkel met die titel "
, ”Waar stygende see massa chaos en weerrampe van epiese omvang veroorsaak. Die verhaal bevat 'n klomp stemboodskappe uit die toekoms wat die anargie beskryf.
'Een inbeller beweer dat' neo-luddiete 'daarop uit is om iemand met wetenskaplike kennis dood te maak, 496 en 'n ander skets 'n kriptiese beeld van 'n zombie-apokalips wat sê dat' as u hulle sien, sal u weet wat u moet doen '.
Kinders leer lag: $ 47,000
Die National Endowment for the Humanities -befondsde klasse by UCLA en
om studente oor lag te leer. In seminare soos "Waarom is dit snaaks", sal die student vermoedelik leer hoe "lag speel met ons persepsies" en "of komedie 'n 'ou ding' is."
'' As 'n finale projek ontwikkel studente óf 'n stand-up-roetine óf 'n 'komediestuk' met behulp van die gereedskap vir digitale storievertelling.
Ontwikkeling van 'n werklike Iron Man-pak: $ 80 miljoen
Dit lyk asof die DoD probeer om voordeel te trek uit die gewildheid van die Iron Man-films om 'n eie weergawe uit die werklike lewe te ontwikkel. Die Pentagon, wat TALOS (Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit) genoem word, sal die komende vier jaar daaraan spandeer om 'n pak te bou wat gemaak is van 'militêre superwapenrusting om koeëls te weerstaan en honderde pond te dra, alles aangedryf deur ['n] futuristiese energiebron.' Maar daar is 'n klein probleem, dit werk nie:
'En terwyl 'n promosievideo vir die TALOS -program toon hoe koeëls 'n tekenprentesoldaat wat in die pak aangetrek is, afskiet, het veldtoetse tot dusver soldate gesukkel om te hardloop, te duik en te skiet wanneer hulle die regte ding gebruik.
Tweeting by Terrorists: $ 3 miljoen
Die staatsdepartement is daarop gemik om terroriste te beveg
en al-Qaeda aanlyn sowel as op die slagveld. Die nuwe program is bedoel om “die gesofistikeerde propagandamasjiene van terreurgroepe regoor die wêreld te bestry”. Hul Twitter-veldtog, "Think Again, Turn Away", is byna universeel beskou as nie net ondoeltreffend nie, maar ook teenproduktief.
'' N Onlangse kommentator in Time Magazine het dit meer onomwonde gestel en gesê: 'hierdie uitreik deur die Amerikaanse regering is nie net ondoeltreffend nie, maar bied ook aan jihadiste 'n verhoog om hul argumente te lewer. ’”
Voorspelling van die einde van die mensdom: $ 30,000
In teenstelling met die vind van nuwe maniere om die sonnestelsel te ondersoek, bestee NASA eerder sy begroting aan 'n studie om te voorspel hoe die wêreld gaan eindig. Navorsers van die
en Minnesota kom terug met 'n interessante en polities voordelige antwoord: ongelykheid in inkomste. Hulle het gewaarsku dat 'n 'ongelyke verdeling van rykdom' tot 'n beskawing gelei het.
Befondsing van kinders wat soos vrugte en groente aantrek: $ 5 miljoen
het $ 5 miljoen aan belastingbetalersgeld gebruik wat studente toelaat om soos vrugte en groente aan te trek in 'n poging om gesonde eetgewoontes te bevorder. 'Studente het die term' vrugte 'geskep om' die eetproses 'te beskryf VRUsy en VEverkrygbaar. ’”
'Die studente word in vyf spanne verdeel - met grappige benamings Spinazie, Wortel, Piesang, Druiwe en Tamatie - wat gelei word deur gekleurde gelukbringer.'
Help ouers om kinders se weiering om vrugte en groente te eet, teen te werk: $ 804,254
In 'n poging om ouers regoor Amerika te help wie se kinders geweier het om hul groente te eet, het die NIH 'n slimfoonspeletjie genaamd "Kiddio: Food Fight" befonds. Die spel is veronderstel om ouers te help om gesofistikeerde kinderweerleggings soos "Yuk!"
'Ouers kies 'n groente om Kiddio aan te bied en kies dan 'n taktiek om Kiddio te beïnvloed om die groente te eet.
Verlore elektroniese toestelle van NASA: $ 1,1 miljoen
Dit lyk asof duisende agentskappe, mits elektronika in die ruimte verlore gaan. NASA het nie tred gehou met die duisende slimfone, tablette en AirCards wat hulle aan hul werknemers verskaf het nie. Terselfdertyd het "Meer as 2 000 toestelle-14 persent van die totale besit van die agentskap-vir ten minste 7 maande van 2013-2014 ongebruik geraak." Op die agentskap se lys van verlore items het hulle 'skootrekenaars, videobande, en maanrotse. ”
Bestudeer of Wikipedia seksisties is: $ 202,000
Die NSF het bykans 'n kwartmiljoen dollar aan navorsers van NYU en Yale gestuur om te ondersoek of daar geslagsvooroordeel op die webwerf Wikipedia bestaan. Omdat Wikipedia deur byna almal geredigeer kan word, het die studie gevolg op 'beskuldigings van seksisme in inhoud en onder bydraers op Wikipedia'. Een voorbeeld van seksisme wat deur navorsers ontbloot is, was nogal die bom:
Wikipedia -bydraers was bevooroordeeld omdat hulle sommige vroulike romanskrywers as "Amerikaanse vroulike romanskrywers" op Wikipedia gekenmerk het, eerder as "Amerikaanse romanskrywers."
Sterk drinkers vra om nie per sms te drink nie: $ 194,090
Navorsers beplan om hierdie deel van belastingbetalersgeld te gebruik om 'n studie te doen waarin hulle 'swaar drinkers' sms, hulle waarsku om nie te drink nie en kyk of hulle in werklikheid dronk word.
'Byvoorbeeld, sommige studie -vakke kry daagliks 15:00. 'n SMS wat hulle herinner aan die gevolge van sterk drank. "
Ys wat deur die regering befonds word: $ 1,2 miljoen
Die USDA betaal melkboere om roomys en baie ander suiwelgebak te produseer:
'In Wisconsin en New York het 'n boerekoöperasie en roomysbeurs 'n beurs ontvang om die produksie en bemarking van organiese Griekse jogurt uit te brei. 'N Plaas in Missouri gebruik ook 'n toelae wat hy ontvang het om jogurt te produseer, maar uit skaapmelk. 'N Plaas in
Pennsylvania
het ook 'n toelae ontvang om sy jogurtonderneming uit te brei, maar sal 'n deel van die geld gebruik om sy Mexikaanse sjokolade -onderneming op te bou.
Amazon moes die eerste keer sedert 2016 federale inkomstebelasting betaal - hier is hoeveel
Toe Jeff Bezos, uitvoerende hoof van Amazon, 'n foto van homself met die sanger en rapper Lizzo in die Super Bowl in Miami tweet en sê dat hy 100% Lizzo se grootste aanhanger is, & quot; die reaksie van die Twitter-sfeer gaan meer oor sy status van 1%: Betaal belasting, het Twitter -gebruikers gesê.
Maar vir die eerste keer sedert 2016 kan Amazon -kritici nie op die tegnologiereus se nie -bestaande federale belastingrekening wys.
Dit is omdat Amazon eintlik geld skuld aan die federale regering in 2019. Na twee agtereenvolgende jare van inbetaling van Amerikaanse federale inkomstebelasting, was Amazon in die haak vir 'n rekening van $ 162 miljoen in 2019, het die maatskappy Donderdag in 'n SEC -indiening gesê.
$ 162 miljoen is natuurlik nog net 'n fraksie van die $ 13,9 miljard se inkomste voor belasting wat Amazon vir 2019 gerapporteer het-in werklikheid ongeveer 1,2%. Die federale korporatiewe belastingkoers is 21%, maar soos in die verlede het Amazon waarskynlik verskillende belastingkrediete en aftrekkings aangewend om sy federale belastingrekening te verminder. Amazon also reported $280.5 billion in total revenue in 2019.
Amazon has been the subject of much criticism over the fact that the company's final federal tax burden has been particularly lacking in recent years. The company also came under fire for seeking huge tax incentives worth billions of dollars as part of its search for a second headquarters, or "HQ2," in 2018.
In 2018, Amazon posted income of more than $11 billion, but the company paid in federal taxes. In fact, thanks to tax credits and deductions, Amazon actually received a federal tax refund of $129 million. That was a year after Amazon received a $137 million refund from the federal government for 2017.
President Donald Trump is a frequent critic of Amazon for paying "little or no taxes to state and local governments," though the Trump Administration's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act helped to lower the statutory corporate tax rate.
In February 2019, Senator Bernie Sanders pointed out in a tweet that any one of the company's roughly 150 million Amazon Prime members would have paid more for that program's annual fee ($119) than Amazon paid in federal taxes for 2018 or 2017.
In a blog post on Thursday, Amazon touted the fact that the company had "over $1 billion in federal income tax expense" in 2019. However, that total includes the $162 million federal tax bill, as well as another $914 million federal tax bill that the company says has been deferred until a later date. (Federal tax laws companies to delay tax payments on certain income, including some foreign earnings and long-term investments in items such as equipment or machinery.)
Amazon also reported $276 million in state tax payments in 2019, as well as an international tax bill of more than $1.1 billion, according to Thursday's SEC filing. And, the company notes in its blog post that Amazon also paid roughly $2.4 billion "in payroll taxes and customs duties" in 2019.
However, paying something like payroll tax is hardly something to boast about, according to Matthew Gardner, a senior fellow at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, or ITEP, a nonpartisan and nonprofit tax policy think tank. In a blog post responding to Amazon's release of its 2019 tax bill, Gardner notes that "economists agree that payroll taxes are ultimately paid by employees in the form of reduced compensation."
Calculating the Conversion Tax
With the above $10,000 example that had $2,000 in after-tax contributions, the $2,000 conversion would play out as follows:
- Total account value = $10,000
- After-tax contributions = $2,000
- Pre-tax contributions = $8,000
- $2,000 / $10,000 = 20%
- $2,000 converted x 20% = $400 converted tax-free
- $1,600 subject to income tax
The same would apply to earnings in the account. Let’s say your account had increased to $15,000, and you want to convert $2,000.
- After-tax contributions = $2,000
- Pre-tax contributions = $8,000
- Earnings = $5,000
- $2,000 / $15,000 = 13%
- $2,000 x 13% = $260 converted tax-free
- $1,740 subject to income tax
Seven ways Americans pay taxes
As Americans across the country rang in the new year, many were unaware that, at midnight, more than 50 different tax breaks expired. According to the Tax Foundation, among them were credits for everything from building motorsports facilities, producing biofuels, conducting business research and development, and even training a mine rescue team.
Clearly, the U.S. tax system can be very complex. Understanding the basics, especially the different types of taxes you may face, can be a valuable tool in financial planning.
Not all taxes are paid at the same time. Some, for example, are deducted from your paycheck. "Generally, three types of taxes will show up on a worker's pay stub: federal income taxes, payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare), and state income taxes," Andrew Lundeen, manager of federal projects at the Tax Foundation, told 24/7 Wall St.
Other taxes, however, are levied at the register. State and local governments collect sales taxes on individual goods and services. Similarly, governments charge excise taxes on specific items, including gasoline and cigarettes.
Not all authorities levy the same types of taxes. Income taxes serve as the largest source of revenue for the federal government, accounting for over 40% of yearly tax revenue. And according to projections from the Congressional Budget Office, income taxes, as well as social insurance taxes, should continue to account for the bulk of the U.S. government's tax revenue going forward.
At the state level, the picture is a bit more mixed. Different states use different tax structures to raise money for the various services they provide. While some states rely heavily on income taxes, others depend primarily on sales or property taxes. A few states, including Florida and Texas, have no personal income tax. Others "follow a structure similar to the federal [tax] code, but with different brackets and much lower rates," explained Lundeen.
Counties, cities, and other local areas often levy taxes to raise money as well. Property taxes, Lundeen noted, "are generally charged at the local level in order to pay for services such as schools, police and fire departments, and parks." Similarly, localities often charge an additional sales tax.
Not all taxes apply to everyone. The federal estate tax, often the subject of controversy, applies only after death and only if the estate is worth $5.34 million or more. Also, you may be able to avoid paying a number of excise taxes if you do not smoke, drink, or gamble. However, some excise taxes may be harder to avoid, including those levied on cell phone services, hotel stays, and gasoline purchases, according to Lundeen.
Here are seven ways Americans pay taxes.
Income taxes can be charged at the federal, state and local levels. At the federal level, the amount paid depends on a number of factors, including income and marital status. Lundeen noted the U.S. has a progressive tax system, consisting of seven tax brackets. He added, "for each additional dollar in a new bracket, you pay that bracket's tax rate." There are also a number of credits. For one, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) gives a tax credit to low and moderate earners.
State income tax structures vary considerably. Some states, such as Florida, do not levy an income tax at all. A few states use a single income tax rate, while many states apply different tax rates depending on income.
Sales taxes are taxes on goods and services purchased. These are usually calculated as a percentage of the price paid. Sales taxes vary by state, and even by municipality. In some states, there are no sales taxes at either the state or local level. Other states and local authorities can charge a hefty amount. In Tennessee, for example, consumers can pay as much as 9.44% in sales taxes when combining state and local taxes, according to the Tax Foundation. In 12 states, sales taxes are higher than 8%. Sales taxes are often considered to be regressive, meaning lower-income individuals and households spend a greater proportion of their earnings to pay the tax, compared to higher income residents.
Excise taxes are similar to broad sales taxes, except they are charged on specific goods. States typically tax certain purchases, including gas, cigarettes, beer and liquor. Excise taxes are frequently levied on so-called "sin products," and often are intended not only to help raise money, but also to deter unhealthy behaviors. The federal government also collects such taxes, including 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel fuel, as well as a 10% charge for tanning services. Excise taxes are often combined with sales taxes on a single purchase. According to Lundeen, in many cases a sales tax is paid on top of an excise tax.
Both employees and employers have to pay the Social Security tax, one of two payroll taxes. For the Social Security tax, employees pay 6.2% of their wages, and employers match that for a total contribution of 12.4%. In 2013, the maximum earnings subject to the tax were $117,000. In 2011 and 2012, the amount employees had to contribute briefly declined to 4.2% of wages, as part of a payroll tax holiday designed to encourage people to spend more and boost the U.S. economy.
A similar tax also exists for Medicare. Both employees and employers are required to contribute 1.45% of wages, or 2.9% in total, to fund the program. Unlike Social Security, there is no maximum taxable wage. In fact, since last year, workers who earned more than $200,000 had to contribute an extra 0.9% of their wages to the program.
Property taxes are usually imposed to fund local services. According to the Tax Foundation's Lundeen, these taxes are based on the property's market value, and are most often levied on real estate, but can also apply to other property, such as cars. In many instances, these taxes are deductible. However, according to the IRS, property taxes on real estate are only deductible if they are used to promote the "general public welfare," but not if they are used "for local benefits and improvements that increase the value of the property." Many homeowners also qualify for a mortgage interest deduction.
The IRS defines an estate tax as "a tax on your right to transfer property at your death." The estate tax is controversial, as it is seen by some as a penalty for dying. Cash, securities, insurance, real estate, and business interests are among the items considered part of an estate. However, for individuals, only estates exceeding $5.34 million are taxed by the federal government. Most Americans, therefore, are exempt from paying the federal estate tax. The highest estate tax rate charged at the federal level is 40%.
Estate taxes are also often levied at the state level. While states frequently use lower rates, they also often have lower exemptions than the federal government's $5.34 million cutoff. Some states have an inheritance tax, where the rate you pay depends on your relation to the deceased.
The gift tax is similar to the estate tax, in that it is a tax on transferring wealth. One important difference is that gift taxes involve two living people, Lundeen added. The federal government also has a far lower exemption level for the gift tax than it does for the estate tax. All gifts over $14,000 are taxable, with the tax to be paid by the recipient. The highest gift tax rate is 40% of the taxable gift amount. This tax applies not only to cash, but also to gifts like company shares or cars. Last year, Minnesota became the second state to implement its own gift tax, following Connecticut.
24/7 Wall St. is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.
How Income Taxes Work
There's nothing quite like the excitement and pride of receiving your very first paycheck. You worked hard for a solid month, and here's your much-deserved compensation. But wait a second . what's the story with this line that says "net pay?" That can't be your actual salary, could it? What happened to all of your money? By the time you get your paycheck, it's been cut up like a pizza, with several government agencies taking a piece of the pie. Exactly how much money is withheld from each check varies from person to person, company to company and state to state. However, almost every income earner has to pay federal income tax.
We generally don't think much about taxes except during the annual tax season. It's probably the most dreaded time of the year for millions of Americans, yet we circle it on our calendars, along with holidays and birthdays. But little joy is connected to April 15, the deadline for filing tax forms. (This deadline doesn't always fall on the 15th. In 2012, Tax Day was Tuesday, April 17 because the 15th was a Sunday and the 16th was a holiday in Washington, D.C. [source: Kaufman].)
The American tax system is a huge machine with a tax code that seems more complex than rocket science. In this article, we will examine how individual income taxes work, take a look at the history of income taxes in the United States and consider two alternative tax plans.
Taxes have always left a sour taste in the mouths of American citizens. This national hatred for taxes dates back to the tax burden placed on the American colonies by Great Britain. Colonists were taxed for every consumer good, from tea and tobacco to legal documents. This "belasting sonder verteenwoordiging" led to many revolts, such as the Boston Tea Party, in which colonists dumped tea into the Boston Harbor rather than pay the tax on it.
Although the American colonists fought for independence from British rule and British taxes, once the United States government formed, its main source of revenue was derived from placing customs and excise taxes on the same items that had been taxed by Great Britain. In 1812, in an effort to support an expensive war effort, the U.S. government imposed the first sales tax, which was placed on gold, silverware, jewelry and watches. In 1817, internal taxes (taxes on goods and land) were terminated, and the government relied on tariffs (taxes on imports or exports) to support itself. It wasn't until 1862 that the United States imposed the first national income tax [source: Tax Foundation].
To support the Union Army during the American Civil War, Congress passed tax laws in both 1861 and 1862. The office of Commissioner of Internal Revenue was established by the Tax Act of 1862, which stated that the commissioner would have the power to levy and collect taxes. The office also was given the authority to seize property and income in order to enforce the tax laws. These powers remain pretty much the same today, although the Internal Revenue Service (as it's been known since the 1950s) will tell you that enforcement tactics have been toned down a bit [source: IRS].
In 1863, the federal government collected the first income tax. This graduated tax was similar to the income tax we pay today. Those who earned $600 to $10,000 per year paid at a rate of 3 percent. Those who earned in excess of $10,000 paid 5 percent. A flat-rate tax was imposed in 1867. Five years later, in 1872, the national income tax was repealed altogether since the Civil War was long over and revenue needs had declined. The federal government went back to relying mainly on tariffs and excise taxes, such as liquor taxes [source: U.S. Dept. of Treasury].
Spurred on by the Populist Party's 1892 campaign to reduce high tariffs, Congress passed the Income Tax Act of 1894 to make up the difference. This act taxed 2 percent of personal income that was more than $4,000, which only affected the top 10 percent. The income tax was short-lived, as the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down only a year after it was enacted. The justices wrote that the income tax was unconstitutional because it failed to abide by a constitutional guideline. This guideline required that any tax levied directly on people must be levied in proportion to a state's population [source: Our Documents].
In 1913, the income tax became a permanent part of the U.S. government. Congress avoided the constitutional roadblock mentioned above by passing a constitutional amendment. Die 16th Amendment reads, "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration." The 16th Amendment gave the government the power to levy taxes on people regardless of state population. Die Underwood Tariff Act of 1913 included an income-tax section that initiated the progressive system we use today: Those who earned more than $3,000 ($4,000 for married couples) were subject to a 1 percent tax, which increased depending on income and topped out at 7 percent [source: IRS].
During World War II, the federal government began withholding taxes, also known as the pay-as-you-earn taxation system. This gave the government the steady flow of money needed to finance the war effort.
In 2014, the tax brackets range from 10 percent to 39.6 percent [source: Bankrate].
While most Americans only think about taxes when April approaches, the tax collection process actually runs all year long.
The process begins when you start a new job. You and your employer agree on your compensation — an hourly wage or an annual salary — which adds up to your gross or "before tax" income. The next thing you do is fill out a W-4 form. The W-4 form is like a miniature income tax survey. It determines if you are single or married, if you have children or other dependents, if your spouse works and if you have childcare expenses. These are called your personal allowances. The number of allowances listed on the W-4 form determines how much income tax your employer will withhold from each paycheck.
Why does your company do this? Because employers are required by law to withhold income tax from all employee paychecks and deposit the money in a Federal Reserve Bank. This is how the federal government maintains a steady stream of income while also drawing interest on your tax dollars. Instead of paying taxes once a year in April, you really pay them all year long.
The W-4 form is important because it ensures that you aren't paying either too much or too little in federal income tax during the year. Some people love to get a big refund check when they file their tax return in April. But what that really means is that they paid too much income tax during the year. They could have put that money in the bank, invested it, or bought something useful with it rather than letting the IRS borrow it. By adjusting the number of allowances on the W-4 form, you can decrease or increase the amount withheld from each check. That way, there are no big checks or big bills in April. Check your W-4 annually to make sure the information is up to date.
Filing income taxes in April is akin to "settling up" with the IRS. In reality, you've been paying taxes all year long. In April, all you are doing is determining if you paid the right amount. If you paid too much, you get a refund too little and you're writing another check. Income tax forms like the 1040 are notoriously confusing, but that's because they're based on a U.S. tax code that's more than 5,000 pages long [source: Shinske]. Here are the basic steps to completing a tax return:
- Start by adding up your bruto inkomste, which includes salary or wages from a job, investment interest income, pensions and annuities. If you have job, your employer will send you a W-2 form in the mail which shows how much you earned and how much income tax was already withheld.
- Subtract any aanpassings (examples: alimony that you paid, deposits in retirement plans, self-employment estimated taxes paid, moving expenses, interest that you paid on a student loan, etc.). The difference is called adjusted gross income (AGI).
- Once you know your AGI, you have two choices: Either subtract a standard deduction, or subtract itemized deductions, whichever is greater. Itemized deductions might include medical and dental expenses, charitable contributions, interest on home mortgages, and state and local taxes from the previous year.
- Next, subtract personal exemptions. For 2013, the IRS allows you to subtract $3,900 each for you, your spouse and each dependent if your AGI is under a certain amount [source: IRS]. Everything left over is called your taxable income.
- This is where it gets a little complicated, because the United States uses a marginal of progressive tax rate stelsel. The more you earn, the higher your tax rate. To determine exactly how much you owe, look up your taxable income on the IRS tax table. Find the number that matches your filing status: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or qualifying widow(er) with dependent child, which is the same as "married filing jointly." That number is your gross tax liability. Don't worry, you have one more chance to lower your tax bill.
- From your gross tax liability, subtract any krediete. The Child Tax Credit is a big one: $1,000 for each qualifying child. Other credits include the Earned Income Tax Credit (or Earned Income Credit) for low-income working families, which can be as much as $6,000, and the Child and Dependent Care Credit for childcare expenses.
- The final number is your net tax. If it's a positive number, you owe money to the IRS. If it's negative, you're getting a refund.
You must file your federal income tax return and pay any taxes owed by April 15. Filing or paying late results in penalties and interest that accrues over time. If you are due a refund, the IRS mails most of them out within two weeks of receiving a return. You could also have the money electronically deposited directly into a bank account.
If you are a freelancer, independent contractor or otherwise self-employed, no one is going to withhold income taxes each time you get paid by a client or customer. Instead, it's your responsibility to pay estimated taxes quarterly based on your taxable income the year before. Not only is it the law (you'll pay a small penalty if you don't), but it allows you to avoid a big tax bill in April.
Humorist and travel writer Stanton Delaplane once offered this lighthearted suggestion for a simplified tax form: "How much money did you make last year? Mail it in." While that may be a drastic way to change the tax system, there has been no shortage of people proposing new tax systems since the 16th Amendment was passed in 1913. If you follow presidential campaigns, there is usually talk from some of the candidates on revising the tax system. Here's a quick look at two of these alternative tax plans.
We currently use a marginal tax system, also called a graduated tax, in which the percentage you pay in taxes varies based on your income. Under a flat tax system, everyone pays the same tax rate no matter how much they earn. Former presidential candidate Steve Forbes proposed a 17 percent flat tax in 1996 and 2000, and Rick Perry floated a 20 percent flat tax in his 2012 presidential campaign [source: Tax Policy Center].
Proponents of a flat-tax system say that it would do away with the complicated tax code and tax forms. The flat tax would need only one form, about the size of a postcard and consisting of only 10 lines. You would merely add up wage, salary and pension income, subtract any personal allowances and pay 17 percent of your taxable income. Deductions and credits would be eliminated under this type of plan. (Perry's proposal did allow a few deductions such as mortgage interest).
Critics of the flat tax say that it would favor the wealthy. Under Rick Perry's plan, a married couple with two children earning $31,000 would lose $5,000 in credits, while the same earning $424,900 would owe nearly $45,000 less in taxes [source: Rampell].
Alternative: National Sales Tax
Even more controversial than the flat tax is the idea of abolishing the federal income tax entirely by repealing the 16th Amendment. In place of an income tax, some propose the use of a national sales tax. Many countries around the world levy a national sales tax, also called a value-added tax or VAT. The difference is that most of those countries also collect income taxes. The U.S. backers of a national sales tax want to get rid of the IRS and charge a flat 10 to 25 percent on all retail purchases of new goods and services [source: Montgomery].
What are the benefits of a national sales tax? Like the flat tax, a national sales tax makes tax collection vastly simpler. Workers could keep their entire paycheck and use that money to buy the things that they need.
Proponents of the so-called Fair Tax — a version of the national sales tax — include a provision called a pre-bate. This is a monthly check mailed by the government to lower-income families to subsidize their purchases. Advocates of a national sales tax also argue that a consumption tax collects revenue from everyone, even illegal immigrants, tax dodgers and tourists from other countries [source: FairTax.org].
Opponents of a national sales tax say it would put an unfair burden on the middle and lower classes, who buy a lot of the products that would be taxed. It might reduce consumer spending, thereby slowing the economy. They add that in order for a national sales tax to be fair, it should be applied to the purchase of stocks and bonds in addition to consumer goods. Under the Fair Tax proposal, investments are not taxed, although brokers' fees would be [source: FairTax.org].
Taxes are a bitter subject in almost every country, and the United States has had a decidedly tumultuous relationship with the issue. America has one of the most complicated tax systems in the world, and it grows more complex every year. In the end, whether you agree with paying taxes or not, you probably have April 15 circled on your calendar, embedded in your brain and on your list of dreaded days.
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Direct Taxes
The definition of a direct tax is a tax that is paid straight from the individual or business to the government body that imposes the tax. Examples of direct taxes include individual income taxes (paid to the federal and state governments), corporate taxes (paid on an organization’s profits), and property taxes (paid on the value of real estate).
The federal income tax almost didn’t make it into law because the Supreme Court initially objected to the fact that it was a direct tax, rather than being apportioned among the states based on population. The 16th amendment to the constitution overrode the Supreme Court’s ruling in 1913 and the direct income tax was born.
Direct taxes are based on a percentage of the value of what is being taxed, and they are set by state and federal law.