In favor of a tax increase

[justjim]

Nobody, including me, wants a tax increase. However, there is one that I support. An Internet sales tax is needed in order to level the playing field for small business. All e-tailers should collect and remit sales taxes for the state where a Buyer resides. It's not fair to him/her who owns a small business in Smallville or Largeville who has to collect sales tax for the state and a large e-tailer like Amazon gets by without collecting any at all. This in my opinion should not be a political issue---it's strictly a matter of fairness. What do you think?

[janmcn]

Nobody, including me, wants a tax increase. However, there is one that I support. An Internet sales tax is needed in order to level the playing field for small business. All e-tailers should collect and remit sales taxes for the state where a Buyer resides. It's not fair to him/her who owns a small business in Smallville or Largeville who has to collect sales tax for the state and a large e-tailer like Amazon gets by without collecting any at all. This in my opinion should not be a political issue---it's strictly a matter of fairness. What do you think?



Floridians will soon be paying 6% sales tax on Amazon purchases as soon as Hillsborough County commissioners approve the deal for them to begin construction of a distribution center in Ruskin. This tax increase won't require an act of congress and will create many jobs for Florida.



Battered Ruskin sees hope in Amazon warehouse | Tampa Bay Times (http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/battered-ruskin-sees-hope-in-amazon-warehouse/2127792)

[rubicon]

Justjim: Let me be honest with you. I would not agree to a single penny of tax other than that which would be required to defend this nation from enemies foreign or domestic and additional amounts I deem necessary for the common good. Why? Because our tax system is riddled with greed, poor accounting, poor budgeting, poor estimating and a never ending appetite for more and more tax money that will continue with wasteful spending and/or placed in people's pockets for political favors.

The Internet tax is misrepresented because it doesn't recognize that states vary in laws and regulations and the internet tax is going to end up costing consumers. Keep in mind many states because of their irresponsible fiscal policies are in dire straits and are going to mine for more tax money anyway they can. what they won't do, like the federal government, is cut back spending.

Sooooo I keep repeating it is not my patriotic duty to pay my taxes as a defense against irresponsible spending

[KeepingItReal]

This in my opinion should not be a political issue---it's strictly a matter of fairness. What do you think?

There are a lot of bigger fish than this to fry before the tax code is even close to fair..

[Patty55]

I think it will be an accounting nightmare.

[OpusX1]

The business's selling on the Internet do not require police protection, fire protection etc from the different states they are selling to except if they have a location in the particular state.
The delivery trucks that deliver your goods do pay a road usage tax as well.as mileage tax and fuel tax. All these taxes are paid by different companies but the ultimate payee is the consumer.
If you want to pay sales tax on items bought out of state each state has a voluntary sales
tax form, just keep track of your purchases and make a voluntary payment.
If a brick and mortar can't compete I doubt 5 or6 percent will save them. It is just the way it is in retail. How is it fair that Lowes and Home Depot put so many small hardware stores out of business? Why was it fair that Ford put so many buggy mfg. out of business? It's change, the one constant in business.

[DaleMN]

Better ask Grover. :doh:

[Bavarian]

People ordering by mail order from a catalog by telephone didn't pay tax.

[Bogie Shooter]

No place to get my buggy fixed.:sad:

[rubicon]

I will never understand why anyone would agree with anew tax or a tax being increased. People who play lotteries are in fact freely paying taxes. Lotteries claim billions go toward education. Has anyone notice a decrease in any educational institution anywhere in this country.

Federal state and local governments once found gambling to be illegal and lending itself to moral decay. Well they made it legal and it has led to moral decay but heck the government got their cut.

[JourneyOfLife]

Here is Florida's Dept Revenue rule on it.

FL Dept Rev - Use Tax on Out-of-State Purchases (http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/consumer.html)

Most states have some form of tax collection approach already for internet purchases.

[KeepingItReal]

Don't we wish the taxers were even near as prompt in paying their own taxes as they are about trying to tax more:

Federal Employees Owed $3.5 Billion In Back Taxes In 2011: IRS (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/08/federal-employees-back-taxes_n_2839212.html)

[janmcn]

I will never understand why anyone would agree with anew tax or a tax being increased. People who play lotteries are in fact freely paying taxes. Lotteries claim billions go toward education. Has anyone notice a decrease in any educational institution anywhere in this country.

Federal state and local governments once found gambling to be illegal and lending itself to moral decay. Well they made it legal and it has led to moral decay but heck the government got their cut.


If you object to paying 6% tax when shopping on Amazon, don't shop on Amazon...simple as that. I, for one, will be happy to pay the 6% tax just as I do when I shop at walmart.com, or homedepot.com, or lowes.com. The governor and county commisioners all totally support this tax.

[784caroline]

Don't we wish the taxers were even near as prompt in paying their own taxes as they are about trying to tax more:

Federal Employees Owed $3.5 Billion In Back Taxes In 2011: IRS (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/08/federal-employees-back-taxes_n_2839212.html)

************************************************** ***********
99.9% of the federal employees mentioned in this article are people like you and I...they are not Congressmen. I would like to see the article about Doctors, plumbers or teachers...the average person for his/her profession.....the impact/result would be the same.

[Monkei]

Nobody, including me, wants a tax increase. However, there is one that I support. An Internet sales tax is needed in order to level the playing field for small business. All e-tailers should collect and remit sales taxes for the state where a Buyer resides. It's not fair to him/her who owns a small business in Smallville or Largeville who has to collect sales tax for the state and a large e-tailer like Amazon gets by without collecting any at all. This in my opinion should not be a political issue---it's strictly a matter of fairness. What do you think?

I think you are 100 percent correct.

[justjim]

Here is Florida's Dept Revenue rule on it.

FL Dept Rev - Use Tax on Out-of-State Purchases (http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/consumer.html)

Most states have some form of tax collection approach already for internet purchases.

Thanks for the link. As I read the Florida law, the buyer is required to pay the tax if the vendor does not collect it and send it to Florida. I am sure other States have similar laws. So, if you buy furniture from XYZ company in North Carolina---$10,000.00 worth of furniture -----Vendor doesn't pay the tax---The buyer is suppose to pay 600.00 use tax---same as sales tax amount if you purchased it from Showplace Direct. Same thing if you made a similar purchase thru Amazon. If the tax isn't paid the buyer is liable. An Internet tax would not increase taxes, rather, it would provide a standard mechanism to collect it. The Internet tax would make the Vendor liable instead of the buyer. :coolsmiley:

[billethkid]

individual retailers only have to make one filing each month for their sales.
Internet providers would have to theorectically be prepared to file monthly in 50 DIFFERENT states, 50 different forms, due dates, filing procedures, etc.

I am an advocate of a process known as show me how you are spending the money you currently get before I would agree to ANY tax increases. I also happen to be of the camp there is more than enough money available.......it is the real world of those who manage money that is not theirs....DO NOT MANAGE spending.

No tax support from me at local, state or federal......they have the funds needed now!!!

btk

[KeepingItReal]

************************************************** ***********
99.9% of the federal employees mentioned in this article are people like you and I...they are not Congressmen. I would like to see the article about Doctors, plumbers or teachers...the average person for his/her profession.....the impact/result would be the same.

Surely we would expect any federal employee to be above the norm in these areas. Even banks keep tabs of their employee's credit etc. and take steps to correct it if it gets out of line.


Average Federal Salary and Average Compensation Including Benefits

According to BEA data, the average federal employee salary in 2010 was $83,679 and $51,986 for the average private sector salary.

When benefits are added in, the average compensation for each federal employee comes to $126,141. For private sector workers, the average compensation package, including benefits, was $62,757 for the same year.

In other words, the federal government often pays salaries that are higher than the private sector at the lower end of the skill levels required and often pays lower salaries than the private sector when more complex skills are required.

Average Federal Salary: $83,679 and Lowest Average Pay Increase in 10 Years - FedSmith.com (http://www.fedsmith.com/2012/03/25/average-federal-salary-lowest-average-pay/)

[manaboutown]

Surely we would expect any federal employee to be above the norm in these areas. Even banks keep tabs of their employee's credit etc. and take steps to correct it if it gets out of line.


Average Federal Salary and Average Compensation Including Benefits

According to BEA data, the average federal employee salary in 2010 was $83,679 and $51,986 for the average private sector salary.

When benefits are added in, the average compensation for each federal employee comes to $126,141. For private sector workers, the average compensation package, including benefits, was $62,757 for the same year.

In other words, the federal government often pays salaries that are higher than the private sector at the lower end of the skill levels required and often pays lower salaries than the private sector when more complex skills are required.

Average Federal Salary: $83,679 and Lowest Average Pay Increase in 10 Years - FedSmith.com (http://www.fedsmith.com/2012/03/25/average-federal-salary-lowest-average-pay/)

Boy, you got that right!

[janmcn]

individual retailers only have to make one filing each month for their sales.
Internet providers would have to theorectically be prepared to file monthly in 50 DIFFERENT states, 50 different forms, due dates, filing procedures, etc.

I am an advocate of a process known as show me how you are spending the money you currently get before I would agree to ANY tax increases. I also happen to be of the camp there is more than enough money available.......it is the real world of those who manage money that is not theirs....DO NOT MANAGE spending.

No tax support from me at local, state or federal......they have the funds needed now!!!

btk


The state of Florida will be happy to show you how they are spending the money they currently get. It's called the state budget, which is constitutionally mandated to be balanced each and every year and which the governor just recently signed.

BTW: Governor Scott is in favor of the Amazon relocation which will require Floridians to pay 6% tax on all Amazon purchases.

[Monkei]

Don't we wish the taxers were even near as prompt in paying their own taxes as they are about trying to tax more:

Federal Employees Owed $3.5 Billion In Back Taxes In 2011: IRS (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/08/federal-employees-back-taxes_n_2839212.html)

I doubt we as a group (fed employees) are any different than any other group. I don't have the stats with me but I would imagine that the average govt employee is probably a GS9. A GS9 is a middle class citizen.

I am really tired of people picking on Fed employees. I still run across people who think I pay no federal taxes and that I receive free paid healthcare. I usually try to enlighten them to the real facts but stupid is stupid and all the facts in the world simply float over their heads.

[KeepingItReal]

I doubt we as a group (fed employees) are any different than any other group. I don't have the stats with me but I would imagine that the average govt employee is probably a GS9. A GS9 is a middle class citizen.

I am really tired of people picking on Fed employees. I still run across people who think I pay no federal taxes and that I receive free paid healthcare. I usually try to enlighten them to the real facts but stupid is stupid and all the facts in the world simply float over their heads.


Federal Employees Pay Lookup www.fedsdatacenter.com/federal-pay-rates/

Apparently you missed this in a previous post. If our federal government cannot police it's own what incentive is there for the private sector? By no means every federal employee or even most are in tax trouble but surely you are not happy or think it is acceptable that this many owe this much $$ and the numbers are increasing . If it is like the private sector those making the most are usually the ones that owe the taxes.

Nearly 312,000 federal workers and retirees owed more than $3.5 billion in back taxes as of Sept. 30, 2011, the agency said. The year before, about 279,000 workers and retirees owed $3.4 billion.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/08/federal-employees-back-taxes_n_2839212.html

Average Federal Salary and Average Compensation Including Benefits

http://www.fedsmith.com/2012/03/25/average-federal-salary-lowest-average-pay/

According to BEA data, the average federal employee salary in 2010 was $83,679 and $51,986 for the average private sector salary.

When benefits are added in, the average compensation for each federal employee comes to $126,141. For private sector workers, the average compensation package, including benefits, was $62,757 for the same year.

In other words, the federal government often pays salaries that are higher than the private sector at the lower end of the skill levels required and often pays lower salaries than the private sector when more complex skills are required.

Average Federal Salary: $83,679 and Lowest Average Pay Increase in 10 Years - FedSmith.com

[ilovetv]

It seems to me that before internet retail sales like this came into the picture, if I ordered from Eddie Bauer or JCPenny or other such seller, by catalog over the phone, if their distribution and shipping center was in my home state (which it was sometimes), we had to pay the state sales tax because we were in the same state as the shipping center.

I'd think it would already be the same way with internet retailers whose distribution/shipping center is in one's home state.

[Golfingnut]

The tax code is in bad need of improvement.

It would be an act worse than treason not to pay tax at all.

We live in a country that offers a way to change but too many do not get involved.

[Monkei]

Federal Employees Pay Lookup Search Federal Pay Rates (http://www.fedsdatacenter.com/federal-pay-rates/)

Apparently you missed this in a previous post. If our federal government cannot police it's own what incentive is there for the private sector? By no means every federal employee or even most are in tax trouble but surely you are not happy or think it is acceptable that this many owe this much $$ and the numbers are increasing . If it is like the private sector those making the most are usually the ones that owe the taxes.

Nearly 312,000 federal workers and retirees owed more than $3.5 billion in back taxes as of Sept. 30, 2011, the agency said. The year before, about 279,000 workers and retirees owed $3.4 billion.

Federal Employees Owed $3.5 Billion In Back Taxes In 2011: IRS (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/08/federal-employees-back-taxes_n_2839212.html)

Average Federal Salary and Average Compensation Including Benefits

Average Federal Salary: $83,679 and Lowest Average Pay Increase in 10 Years - FedSmith.com (http://www.fedsmith.com/2012/03/25/average-federal-salary-lowest-average-pay/)

According to BEA data, the average federal employee salary in 2010 was $83,679 and $51,986 for the average private sector salary.

When benefits are added in, the average compensation for each federal employee comes to $126,141. For private sector workers, the average compensation package, including benefits, was $62,757 for the same year.

In other words, the federal government often pays salaries that are higher than the private sector at the lower end of the skill levels required and often pays lower salaries than the private sector when more complex skills are required.

Average Federal Salary: $83,679 and Lowest Average Pay Increase in 10 Years - FedSmith.com

I am still not confident that we are comparing apples to apples regarding policing ones work force. I have no idea how much private sector carpenters, plumbers and electricians are behind in their federal taxes. I would assume it would be the same. Fed employees sit at their kitchen tables and complete their tax forms the same way private sector employees do. It is tuff for me to believe that federal employees cheat any more than private employees do.

You also did not touch on the real reason I jumped in here. The fact that I indeed pay taxes at the same rate that private employees. There is not a second tax table that fed employees use.

I also pay for my health care. It's not free as some argue. Is it better than most private employee benefits. Yes. During my 40 years of civil service I made much less in the computer field than my private sector peers. If it were not for the benefits I would have left the federal service to make more. In any event I stayed and paid for my health care insurance while I worked. I still pay for it when I retired. Free health insurance and not paying taxes are some made up Internet rumor to **** non federal workers off and are baseless in fact.

[Spizwink]

Rubicon has it right!

[l2ridehd]

All governments appetite for revenue never goes down. State, Local, Federal. They will find a way to spend any and all tax revenue. They are not run as a business. So I agree with Rubicon, never support any tax increase except to support our national defense and basic required services. Taxes will continue to increase until we go bankrupt and fail as a nation because everyone elected is out to get re-elected, not manage our country as it should be.

[KyWoman]

I don't think there is a law preventing those in favor of more taxes to lead by example and voluntarily send an extra check to the government......... Meanwhile, I prefer to put my money into the free market and help our economy.

[carm310]

I just read this poem yesterday on a friend's post in Facebook. Says a lot about where we are and at the end just enough about where we were. It is from "Charley Reese's final column for the Orlando Sentinel". Google if you want to read the entire column.

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

[Golfingnut]

I just read this poem yesterday on a friend's post in Facebook. Says a lot about where we are and at the end just enough about where we were. It is from "Charley Reese's final column for the Orlando Sentinel". Google if you want to read the entire column.

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.



Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

And for minorities, gays, old, and sick people this country was a living hell.
Tax codes are in need of help, but without taxes, hundreds of thousands would be forced back into the old times when life was terrible unless you fell into a category of well off white men and their families. I was fortunate enough be in the good ole boy group. Ask a minority who lived through the 50's in this country how great it was.

[gpirate]

Justjim: Let me be honest with you. I would not agree to a single penny of tax other than that which would be required to defend this nation from enemies foreign or domestic and additional amounts I deem necessary for the common good. Why? Because our tax system is riddled with greed, poor accounting, poor budgeting, poor estimating and a never ending appetite for more and more tax money that will continue with wasteful spending and/or placed in people's pockets for political favors.

The Internet tax is misrepresented because it doesn't recognize that states vary in laws and regulations and the internet tax is going to end up costing consumers. Keep in mind many states because of their irresponsible fiscal policies are in dire straits and are going to mine for more tax money anyway they can. what they won't do, like the federal government, is cut back spending.

Sooooo I keep repeating it is not my patriotic duty to pay my taxes as a defense against irresponsible spending

You could not state it any better. If the govt. would clean up their act we could reduce taxes. This would help all businesses.

[carm310]

And for minorities, gays, old, and sick people this country was a living hell.
Tax codes are in need of help, but without taxes, hundreds of thousands would be forced back into the old times when life was terrible unless you fell into a category of well off white men and their families. I was fortunate enough be in the good ole boy group. Ask a minority who lived through the 50's in this country how great it was.

I am all for taxes to benefit people of all walks of life and society as a whole, Many (maybe most) in the poem are necessary for society to function and I think we are better off than 100 years ago. The list is long and some, well I question whether they are truly needed. We are just hit from all sides and some states get you get hit more than others. I wonder sometimes if it just can't be simplified more. I admit I don't know a lot about this subject, there are many sides to a story and I appreciate the views expressed through this forum. I learn a lot by "listening" to others.

[Golfingnut]

I am all for taxes to benefit people of all walks of life and society as a whole, Many (maybe most) in the poem are necessary for society to function and I think we are better off than 100 years ago. The list is long and some, well I question whether they are truly needed. We are just hit from all sides and some states get you get hit more than others. I wonder sometimes if it just can't be simplified more. I admit I don't know a lot about this subject, there are many sides to a story and I appreciate the views expressed through this forum. I learn a lot by "listening" to others.

I served for 10 years as a government contracting officer. Tax dollars are being wasted by the government agencies at an a pace that is unbelievable. Unfortunately the fraud in the federal government is of very little concern to our elected officials regardless of party. Clean up most of the corruption in government spending and in my experienced opinion, taxes to citizens could be REDUCED dramatically.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

Against any additional taxes to the people. America continues to tax people, and waste more. The more they collect, the more is wasted. We would be a stronger people with a flat rate only tax, and let the people use their monies for their needs.

[zcaveman]

I am against the current proposal for internet sales tax. If anything the tax should go to the state that the product is purchased in. When I travel to another state and purchase a product, I pay the sales tax in that state. Therefore when I buy a product on the internet, I should have to pay the sales tax in that state and they should collect the tax.

Why should my home state receive the sales tax from something I buy in another state?

Am I missing something here?

Z

[Shimpy]

[QUOTE=rubicon;695667 People who play lotteries are in fact freely paying taxes. [/QUOTE]

A friend of mine used to say the lottery was a tax on the stupid.

[justjim]

It's the responsibility of the buyer to pay state taxes, not the seller. Why should the seller be put in the position, yet again, of being an unpaid taxman for Uncle Sam?

Because if you purchase something from a local small business (XYZ bike shop) they have to pay the sales tax. If you purchase the same item on the Internet, often nobody pays and that is a huge advantage for the e-tailer. Let's level the playing field for local business.

[justjim]

I am against the current proposal for internet sales tax. If anything the tax should go to the state that the product is purchased in. When I travel to another state and purchase a product, I pay the sales tax in that state. Therefore when I buy a product on the internet, I should have to pay the sales tax in that state and they should collect the tax.

Why should my home state receive the sales tax from something I buy in another state?

Am I missing something here?

Z

If you were a local small business you would understand. The e-tailer business (such as Amazon) can sell their product at a cheaper price because they do not have to pay any sales tax. If any tax liability is required it is put on the buyer. However, most of the time, nothing is paid and this is a huge disadvantage to the "local mom & pop" shops. Small business already has tremendous competition from the local big box stores. I was afraid that this discussion could get political and have done my best to be an advocate for local small businesses and not at all get political. To me its not at all political----it more a David vs. Goliath Issue.

[gpirate]

Don't we wish the taxers were even near as prompt in paying their own taxes as they are about trying to tax more:

Federal Employees Owed $3.5 Billion In Back Taxes In 2011: IRS (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/08/federal-employees-back-taxes_n_2839212.html)

Amen by man.

[ilovetv]

If you were a local small business you would understand. The e-tailer business (such as Amazon) can sell their product at a cheaper price because they do not have to pay any sales tax. If any tax liability is required it is put on the buyer. However, most of the time, nothing is paid and this is a huge disadvantage to the "local mom & pop" shops. Small business already has tremendous competition from the local big box stores. I was afraid that this discussion could get political and have done my best to be an advocate for local small businesses and not at all get political. To me its not at all political----it more a David vs. Goliath Issue.

The e-tailer often reduces the item price to compensate for the shipping costs the customer will have to pay in addition to the selling price.

[Monkei]

Amen by man.

Just quickly reading that fed employees owe a certain amount in back taxes really becomes meaningless when you actually open the link and actually read it. There is a telling gem in the first couple of paragraphs

" Overall, the 9.8 million workers included in the data had a delinquency rate of 3.2 percent. That's better than the general public. The IRS says the delinquency rate for the general public was 8.2 percent.

So one could easily argue that fed employees are much better in their civic duty to pay taxes than their privately employed brothers and sisters.

Can I get another amen?

[Ron1Z]

Doesn't matter here in Delaware we have no sales tax. Also here in Sussex County the property taxes have remained the same for the past 24 years. Someone is doing something right.

[DaleMN]

Don't raise my taxes but by God you better keep the street in front of my house nice and smooth, you better defend me against enemies, you better put a fire out if my house ignites, i better be able to flush my toilet, kids better be able to afford college, there better not be terrorists on my plane, the snow better be plowed, i better not be in danger because of drunk drivers, you better try to bring business and growth to my community, i better see a Fourth of July parade. But dammit don't raise my taxes. :rant-rave:

[justjim]

Don't raise my taxes but by God you better keep the street in front of my house nice and smooth, you better defend me against enemies, you better put a fire out if my house ignites, i better be able to flush my toilet, kids better be able to afford college, there better not be terrorists on my plane, the snow better be plowed, i better not be in danger because of drunk drivers, you better try to bring business and growth to my community, i better see a Fourth of July parade. But dammit don't raise my taxes. :rant-rave:

Dale, you make some good points----we sometimes want "services" but then complain about having to pay for them. Look at us here in TV. Wow, you talk about having services (also could be called amenities). This is why most of us live here---correct? As I have tried to explain, an Internet tax isn't exactly raising taxes, it's an attempt to level the playing field and provide a mechanism to collect sales tax that the local small business in most states must pay and this legislation would require the large e-tailer to do likewise. Personally, my wife and I enjoy the small shops around the squares here in TV and those in Smallville and Largeville around the country. However, over 60% of the people in our country shop WalMart and the large E-tailers. The small farms are all gone---perhaps in the near future---the small shops! Progress.

[KeepingItReal]

[QUOTE=Monkei;696309]Just quickly reading that fed employees owe a certain amount in back taxes really becomes meaningless when you actually open the link and actually read it. There is a telling gem in the first couple of paragraphs

" Overall, the 9.8 million workers included in the data had a delinquency rate of 3.2 percent. That's better than the general public. The IRS says the delinquency rate for the general public was 8.2 percent.

So one could easily argue that fed employees are much better in their civic duty to pay taxes than their privately employed brothers and sisters.

************************************************** *********************************************
Federal employees are paid from our taxes, they actually are paid from the pool we all have to keep filling, private employees at least usually are not.

Another article on this subject:

www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/02/02/Federal-Tax-Dodgers-Owe-Billions.aspx#page1


How is this even possible, taken from link above:

That includes $833,970 in unpaid taxes from 36 White House aides—an irony that was not lost on dozens of mostly conservative Web sites who classified it as ludicrous that despite President Obama’s recent calls for every American to “pay their fair share” in taxes, members of his own inner circle weren’t obliging. The IRS audit also showed House and Senate staffers owed $10.6 million in back taxes, Health and Human Services staffers owed $41 million, and Environmental Protection Agency staffers owed $19 million.
Read more at http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/02/02/Federal-Tax-Dodgers-Owe-Billions.aspx#4LxaZqyC2VTqxccO.99




Also did we miss this, would we not normally expect better from the higher paid:

According to BEA data, the average federal employee salary in 2010 was $83,679 and $51,986 for the average private sector salary.

When benefits are added in, the average compensation for each federal employee comes to $126,141. For private sector workers, the average compensation package, including benefits, was $62,757 for the same year.

In other words, the federal government often pays salaries that are higher than the private sector at the lower end of the skill levels required and often pays lower salaries than the private sector when more complex skills are required.

[Monkei]

[QUOTE=Monkei;696309]Just quickly reading that fed employees owe a certain amount in back taxes really becomes meaningless when you actually open the link and actually read it. There is a telling gem in the first couple of paragraphs

" Overall, the 9.8 million workers included in the data had a delinquency rate of 3.2 percent. That's better than the general public. The IRS says the delinquency rate for the general public was 8.2 percent.

So one could easily argue that fed employees are much better in their civic duty to pay taxes than their privately employed brothers and sisters.

************************************************** *********************************************
Federal employees are paid from our taxes, they actually are paid from the pool we all have to keep filling, private employees at least usually are not.

Another article on this subject:

Federal Tax Dodgers Owe $3.4 Billion (http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/02/02/Federal-Tax-Dodgers-Owe-Billions.aspx#page1)


How is this even possible, taken from link above:

That includes $833,970 in unpaid taxes from 36 White House aides—an irony that was not lost on dozens of mostly conservative Web sites who classified it as ludicrous that despite President Obama’s recent calls for every American to “pay their fair share” in taxes, members of his own inner circle weren’t obliging. The IRS audit also showed House and Senate staffers owed $10.6 million in back taxes, Health and Human Services staffers owed $41 million, and Environmental Protection Agency staffers owed $19 million.
Read more at Federal Tax Dodgers Owe $3.4 Billion (http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/02/02/Federal-Tax-Dodgers-Owe-Billions.aspx#4LxaZqyC2VTqxccO.99)




Also did we miss this, would we not normally expect better from the higher paid:

According to BEA data, the average federal employee salary in 2010 was $83,679 and $51,986 for the average private sector salary.

When benefits are added in, the average compensation for each federal employee comes to $126,141. For private sector workers, the average compensation package, including benefits, was $62,757 for the same year.

In other words, the federal government often pays salaries that are higher than the private sector at the lower end of the skill levels required and often pays lower salaries than the private sector when more complex skills are required.

Bottom line on the first topic is federal employees are better than the actual public in keeping up with their tax bill.

When you say that WE pay federal employees salaries well guess what, federal employees also pay their own salaries.

I don't know why there is so much anger at federal employees. We are just like everyone else. We pay taxes, buy our insurance and work long hard hours. Do some fed employees slack off? Probably but I see plenty of that going on in the public sector also.

[KeepingItReal]

Bottom line on the first topic is federal employees are better than the actual public in keeping up with their tax bill.

When you say that WE pay federal employees salaries well guess what, federal employees also pay their own salaries.

I don't know why there is so much anger at federal employees. We are just like everyone else. We pay taxes, buy our insurance and work long hard hours. Do some fed employees slack off? Probably but I see plenty of that going on in the public sector also.

************************************************** ***

I think what is being perceived as anger is actually more like "how the heck can this be happening". Federal employees being only better than the public at paying their federal taxes is quite a low goal/standard to set.

That includes $833,970 in unpaid taxes from 36 White House aides—an irony that was not lost on dozens of mostly conservative Web sites who classified it as ludicrous that despite President Obama’s recent calls for every American to “pay their fair share” in taxes, members of his own inner circle weren’t obliging. The IRS audit also showed House and Senate staffers owed $10.6 million in back taxes, Health and Human Services staffers owed $41 million, and Environmental Protection Agency staffers owed $19 million.
Read more at Federal Tax Dodgers Owe $3.4 Billion

This alone is reason enough to expect A LOT more from federal employees. According to BEA data, the average federal employee salary in 2010 was $83,679 and $51,986 for the average private sector salary. When benefits are added in, the average compensation for each federal employee comes to $126,141. For private sector workers, the average compensation package, including benefits, was $62,757 for the same year.

As far as slacking off absolutely, but when a private sector employee does it the company either corrects it or they make less profit because of it. In the federal arena when it happens we are ask to pay more taxes to add more employees.

If one cannot understand why it seems ironic for (SOME OF) those drawing their pay and benefits from the federal tax pool to not be paying their share into the pool then I guess it won't ever be understood. Unless you are one that owes federal taxes there's nothing to try to defend. No doubt there are many that owe federal taxes in any profession. I worked in telecommunications and I certainly do not defend anyone that also worked in the same field if they owe taxes. I have always had to pay every penny due of my taxes and so should everyone else whether they are a federal employee or not. I cannot even imagine how they are getting away with it when obviously they know who they are.

[Golfingnut]

[QUOTE=Monkei;696309]Just quickly reading that fed employees owe a certain amount in back taxes really becomes meaningless when you actually open the link and actually read it. There is a telling gem in the first couple of paragraphs

" Overall, the 9.8 million workers included in the data had a delinquency rate of 3.2 percent. That's better than the general public. The IRS says the delinquency rate for the general public was 8.2 percent.

So one could easily argue that fed employees are much better in their civic duty to pay taxes than their privately employed brothers and sisters.

************************************************** *********************************************
Federal employees are paid from our taxes, they actually are paid from the pool we all have to keep filling, private employees at least usually are not.

Another article on this subject:

Federal Tax Dodgers Owe $3.4 Billion (http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/02/02/Federal-Tax-Dodgers-Owe-Billions.aspx#page1)


How is this even possible, taken from link above:

That includes $833,970 in unpaid taxes from 36 White House aides—an irony that was not lost on dozens of mostly conservative Web sites who classified it as ludicrous that despite President Obama’s recent calls for every American to “pay their fair share” in taxes, members of his own inner circle weren’t obliging. The IRS audit also showed House and Senate staffers owed $10.6 million in back taxes, Health and Human Services staffers owed $41 million, and Environmental Protection Agency staffers owed $19 million.
Read more at Federal Tax Dodgers Owe $3.4 Billion (http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/02/02/Federal-Tax-Dodgers-Owe-Billions.aspx#4LxaZqyC2VTqxccO.99)




Also did we miss this, would we not normally expect better from the higher paid:

According to BEA data, the average federal employee salary in 2010 was $83,679 and $51,986 for the average private sector salary.

When benefits are added in, the average compensation for each federal employee comes to $126,141. For private sector workers, the average compensation package, including benefits, was $62,757 for the same year.

In other words, the federal government often pays salaries that are higher than the private sector at the lower end of the skill levels required and often pays lower salaries than the private sector when more complex skills are required.

Not true. The vast majority of federal workers fall under the general services or GS scale. GS 1 starts at $17,000 per year and a GS 15 with the maximum of 10 step increases tops put at $129,000. Very few ever get over the grade of GS 12.

[Moderator]

Please...let's get back on the topic of internet sales tax.

If you want to discuss federal employee salaries and tax delinquency, start a new thread.

Thanks.