It's tax season. Why aren't more Americans outraged at the Income Tax?

[Zooropa]

Originally Posted by KonaldDuth

Why aren't more average Americans outraged at seeing 1/4-1/3 of their income disappear into a black hole? Why aren't more Americans outraged at the fact that they're required to fill out a document that can be used against them? Why aren't more Americans outraged at the fact that the IRS has been found to have political reasons for auditing certain individuals and organizations? Why aren't more Americans outraged that the IRS illegally siezes property? Why aren't more Americans outraged at the fact that the 16th Amendment is Unconstitutional? Why aren't more Americans outraged at the fact that they have to spend an entire day filling out this crap?

There just isn't anything for me to be outraged about when I fill out my taxes. I don't own a home, or have any other reason to itemize so a 1040A form is easy enough to fill out. Besides, I don't believe the rate I pay is unreasonable and have more important day to day priorities.

[le roi]

Originally Posted by jeffbase40

I don't know where you get that. I'm low middle class income, and 25% of my income goes to taxes. (15% federal and 10% state) I only get like a $700 refund and pay in nearly 10K a year.

Your math doesn't add up. There's no possible way you pay an effective rate of 15% on federal income taxes in the 'lower middle class.' Your income would need to be about $200,000/year.

You're probably conflating marginal rates with effective rates, and also conflating total tax burden with federal income tax burden.

[JohnnyMack]

Originally Posted by LetsRock

4. Too many non-weathy people using more in services than they are being taxed for. If you have 5 kids you should be paying MORE in taxes, not getting a credit to lower your tax burden.

I think the "dependent" count should stop at two children, regardless of income, you want to have 6, 8, 20 ? go ahead, you will pay MORE in taxes than a single person.

You shouldn't be consider "poor" due to the family size when if you have only two children you would be clearly middle-class, NO government financial assistance, NO free health care, etc..

[The Villages Guy]

Out total income is well into 6 figures and I am happy with our total tax liability as it is. I just wish they would eliminate all deductions and lower the rate to equal out to the same amount paid, so that it would be easier doing our taxes.