Crain's Report: sales-tax receipts plunge/property taxes rise (Chicago, Washington: city hall, home)

[dabulls3285]

Data......

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: Chicago Metro Area Sales-Tax Receipts Plunge, Property Taxes Rise

[andrew61]

Speaking of sales tax, I got the shock of my life this afternoon when I stopped at Jewel to pick up a bag of candy... only to find at the cash register that the tax I was charged was over 10 percent.

I called the cashier on it, and was told that tax on candy had gone up. I shook my head in disbelief, paid what I was told, and left.

First thing I did after I got home was look it up online... and found that state taxes on candy were indeed recently raised to such high levels. Even more confusing, I found that some candy is taxed as "candy" (high rate), while other candy is taxed as "food" (low rate), depending on the ingredients contained therein. For example, if a candy contains any flour, it's considered a "food". How ridiculous is that?

I guess I should've known about the increase, but I've been in a phase lately where I've been tuning out most local news, and so I hadn't heard about it. Shame on me, I guess.

Sometimes I think the sales tax schedule around these parts is deliberately designed to be as confusing as possible, just to keep the consumer from ever being able to know for sure whether or not he/she is being overcharged.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by andrew61

Speaking of sales tax, I got the shock of my life this afternoon when I stopped at Jewel to pick up a bag of candy... only to find at the cash register that the tax I was charged was over 10 percent.

I called the cashier on it, and was told that tax on candy had gone up. I shook my head in disbelief, paid what I was told, and left.

First thing I did after I got home was look it up online... and found that state taxes on candy were indeed recently raised to such high levels. Even more confusing, I found that some candy is taxed as "candy" (high rate), while other candy is taxed as "food" (low rate), depending on the ingredients contained therein. For example, if a candy contains any flour, it's considered a "food". How ridiculous is that?

I guess I should've known about the increase, but I've been in a phase lately where I've been tuning out most local news, and so I hadn't heard about it. Shame on me, I guess.

Sometimes I think the sales tax schedule around these parts is deliberately designed to be as confusing as possible, just to keep the consumer from ever being able to know for sure whether or not he/she is being overcharged.

If you would have bought bananas it would have been 2.25% -- and just as sweet too!

[lenniel]

If government were run like a private business, the result of a decrease in revenues wouldn't be to increase our taxes, it would be to reduce spending, cutting staff, finding ways to be more efficient, etc.
But the government basically says "lower tax revenue, no problem....We'll just raise taxes."

[dabulls3285]

Originally Posted by lenniel

If government were run like a private business, the result of a decrease in revenues wouldn't be to increase our taxes, it would be to reduce spending, cutting staff, finding ways to be more efficient, etc.
But the government basically says "lower tax revenue, no problem....We'll just raise taxes."

Exactly right. Add to the list why Chicago is losing population and gaining a reputation.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

If you would have bought bananas it would have been 2.25% -- and just as sweet too!

Not to mention healthier. But yesterday was one of those days when only Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures would do.

[the fonz]

Originally Posted by andrew61

Not to mention healthier. But yesterday was one of those days when only Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures would do.

I'm a scooter pie man myself. ayyyyyyy

[jcarlilesiu]

You are still in disbelief that we are governed by morons?

I stopped shopping in the city almost completely. I travel out of he metro area frequently and do all of my shopping there.

These idiots think that if they raise taxes, they will make more money, yet people that have the means travel away from the taxes. Then, when only the poor people who can't afford to travel stop buying as much, the morons raise taxes again.

Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Idiots.

[WhaThe]

I have to remember to register to vote this week.



"Officials of this state, and too many county governments, deliver greater loyalty and more secure futures to their public employees than they deliver to the citizens who pay their salaries."

Splurge. Borrow. Repeat. - chicagotribune.com

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by WhaThe

I have to remember to register to vote this week...

"Tues., Jan. 5, 2010 is the deadline to register to be eligible to cast a ballot in the Feb. 2, 2010 Primary Election. "

"Special Registration Hours:
-- Sat., Jan. 2: 8 am to 4 pm at 69 W. Washington St., Sixth Floor
-- Sun., Jan. 3: 8 am to 4 pm at 69 W. Washington St., Sixth Floor
-- Tues., Jan. 5: 8 am to Midnight at 69 W. Washington St. and at City Hall "

Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago