Raise in Sales Tax (Madison, County Line: car registration, buying, high income)

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by RegaeBusRider

Ironically, Madison has the largest per capital tax base and is raising taxes. Are you getting a bullet train or something? Lol

Unlike Huntsville, Madison has practically zero industrial base to tax, and not nearly the retail base, either. Here in Decatur, much of our industry was specifically excluded from city property taxes (not school taxes, though).
Of course, people who work here and live elsewhere tend to contribute very little to our sales tax collections.
There's a reason all the cities surrounding Huntsville keep crying "buy local!"

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by Reactionary

FAL50 - IMO an apology is not needed. Your comments were within the bounds of a local tax discussion. You live here, however comparing the rates in your previous locale to here should be OK. Discussing the reasons for the tax differences is instructive, too.

Remember that some commenters here probably support Di Rupo's policies.

^^^ THIS !!!

I, for one, appreciate FAL50's comment. He reminded us just how far a government can go with taxing its citizens if we allow it.

In this specific case, I think the City of Madison is justified in raising taxes as long as it is being used wisely to improve roads & capital projects in Madison. People choose to live in the City of Madison because of its quality of life & quality of its education, etc. Being a small city if the city council does not do the wishes of its citizens, then we will vote the ba$tid$ out.

Fortunately the near by city, Huntsville, is not bad either so we are not facing an extreme contrast between the two cities.

[SarahBellum]

I'm not going to change where or how I shop over 1%. I like Lowe's better than Home Depot so that's where I go. I'd rather have a poke in the eye with a sharp stick that go to any Walmart, but about 3 times a year I end up in one. The location on Hwy. 20 is closest so that's usually the one I end up in. Other than that, I don't really think about city lines and the difference in taxes that much.

This topic reminds me of a family friend who always plans a big family trip every summer then claims he'll have to cancel because gas is up 3% over last year. Um, if that percentage is going to make such a huge difference, maybe he shouldn't be making the trip anyway? Once 1% starts truly impacting my budget, I'll likely stop shopping before I make a point to drive to other jurisdictions to shop.

[Dirt Grinder]

Originally Posted by Maya Blue

...For Madison residents to be upset that they are paying a 1/2 cent more is asinine...

Count me as one of the asinine ones. The absolute maximum is 100 and every 1/2 gets us that much closer to it . Add up all the taxes/fees you pay and get back to me about how asinine I am.

[elephant08]

Greatest thing about America is we can spend our money how we choose and where we please. I am in an American and live in Madison, and if I want to be vocal about something, and I'm giving a forum to do so. I WILL DO IT.

[elephant08]

Originally Posted by dirt grinder

count me as one of the asinine ones. The absolute maximum is 100 and every 1/2 gets us that much closer to it . Add up all the taxes/fees you pay and get back to me about how asinine i am.

:d

[dijkstra]

Originally Posted by Dirt Grinder

Count me as one of the asinine ones. The absolute maximum is 100 and every 1/2 gets us that much closer to it . Add up all the taxes/fees you pay and get back to me about how asinine I am.

I couldn't agree more. Every time they increase a tax or a fee, people will say "It is only 1/2 %" or it is only "$10." Well 1/2% here, $10 there......where does it stop?


Most people do not realize that around 50% of their income ends up going to taxes and governmental fees. Stop and think about all of the taxes and fees you already pay: car tags, taxes and fees on phone bill and cable bill, sales tax, federal income tax, state income tax, property tax, etc. What percentage is the "it's only 1/2%" club willing to pay?

[BMW Dave]

Originally Posted by dijkstra

What percentage is the "it's only 1/2%" club willing to pay?

Well since I just bought that house in the city limits, I guess at least 1/2% more. I realize I am coming in late on this thread, I was out of town, throwing my money at Destin and Seaside, FL for a few days. They have an Arts and Entertainment 1% tax on everything and somehow no one has burned that place to the ground yet.

At least I am getting my roads done.

[raj kapoor]

Originally Posted by BMW Dave

Well since I just bought that house in the city limits, I guess at least 1/2% more. I realize I am coming in late on this thread, I was out of town, throwing my money at Destin and Seaside, FL for a few days. They have an Arts and Entertainment 1% tax on everything and somehow no one has burned that place to the ground yet.

At least I am getting my roads done.

Being that reasonable and easy to get along with could get you into deep do do.

raj

[FatTails]

Every state and jurisdiction gets its money in its own way. The income tax here is moderate. Go to CA and pay 10% or go to Florida and pay nothing. The sales tax here is on the high side of moderate. Property taxes are uber low. Car tags are towards the top. In the ends I figure it's all a wash. Unless you are in CA. Then you are just hosed. Every tax there is high.