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I know a guy in Portland who is 62 and lives on Social Security.
A couple years ago, Portland adopted an "arts tax" primarily to maintain funding for school arts programs which was threatened by a school budget squeeze. This tax is a flat $35 on every adult above the federal poverty line. The City wants to tax everyone who lives in Portland at any time during the year, and is using DMV addresses plus registered voters as their targets.
As one might expect, the 'government class' has protected themselves well; government worker pensions are exempt from tax under state law. Social Security is also exempt from state and local income taxes. As a result, a lot of people are actually exempt from this tax.
One might expect the City to use federal and state tax data (e.g. tax returns and W-2 / 1099 forms) to identify people who might owe this tax. But nooooo...
Apparently, the City presumes that everyone owes the tax until they prove they don't owe the tax. My friend got a form letter hitting him up for $50 (including a $15 penalty for not paying the tax by April 15). He says he can get out of paying the tax (and the penalty) with proof his taxable income was below poverty level, which he can do with either a tax return or a specific federal form. His income is considerably above poverty level, but it's all Social Security so it is exempt from this tax.
I've never heard of presuming someone owes a tax unless they prove they don't owe it. What's your opinion?
I know a guy in Portland who is 62 and lives on Social Security.
A couple years ago, Portland adopted an "arts tax" primarily to maintain funding for school arts programs which was threatened by a school budget squeeze. This tax is a flat $35 on every adult above the federal poverty line. The City wants to tax everyone who lives in Portland at any time during the year, and is using DMV addresses plus registered voters as their targets.
As one might expect, the 'government class' has protected themselves well; government worker pensions are exempt from tax under state law. Social Security is also exempt from state and local income taxes. As a result, a lot of people are actually exempt from this tax.
One might expect the City to use federal and state tax data (e.g. tax returns and W-2 / 1099 forms) to identify people who might owe this tax. But nooooo...
Apparently, the City presumes that everyone owes the tax until they prove they don't owe the tax. My friend got a form letter hitting him up for $50 (including a $15 penalty for not paying the tax by April 15). He says he can get out of paying the tax (and the penalty) with proof his taxable income was below poverty level, which he can do with either a tax return or a specific federal form. His income is considerably above poverty level, but it's all Social Security so it is exempt from this tax.
I've never heard of presuming someone owes a tax unless they prove they don't owe it. What's your opinion?
1. That's the stupidest excuse for a tax I have ever heard of. Of all the things schools could avoid wasting money on, art is near the top of the list.
2. Exempting government workers is criminal.
3. The greed of government, especially in liberal areas, is disgusting.
1. That's the stupidest excuse for a tax I have ever heard of. Of all the things schools could avoid wasting money on, art is near the top of the list.
2. Exempting government workers is criminal.
3. The greed of government, especially in liberal areas, is disgusting.
They send out the notice, you pay the tax or go to city hall with proof that the tax is not applicable. Why should that be considered such a big problem.
FWIW - I would be a lot happier if my school taxes paid for History, Geography, English, Math and Art instead of being wasted on "Team Sports". I would consider the $35 well spent.
They send out the notice, you pay the tax or go to city hall with proof that the tax is not applicable. Why should that be considered such a big problem.
FWIW - I would be a lot happier if my school taxes paid for History, Geography, English, Math and Art instead of being wasted on "Team Sports". I would consider the $35 well spent.
A couple years ago, Portland adopted an "arts tax" primarily to maintain funding for school arts programs which was threatened by a school budget squeeze. This tax is a flat $35 on every adult above the federal poverty line. The City wants to tax everyone who lives in Portland at any time during the year, and is using DMV addresses plus registered voters as their targets.
It's important to understand the power of the state worker. Those who receive their paychecks off other peoples taxes can dictate, as in this case school teachers, how many is spent. School teachers have the best pensions, tenure and excellent salaries.
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