Money in the Bank
One Day at a Time
This month, I will get three paychecks (most months it’s two). I’m also due my quarterly bonus this month. And, I’m getting my tax return money back this month. Should be a good month, LOL.
I’ve already gotten back my federal, AND state of Georgia. Still waiting on South Carolina. I’m getting back a lot more from South Carolina than from Georgia. Apparently, Georgia keeps most of the tax I pay in because I am a Georgia resident. But since I’m not a South Carolina resident (but worked there for a good portion of the year), I will get just about all of it back.
Most people would be like, "woohoo, I got my tax money back", and go on a shopping spree and spend it. No. I’m not like that. I can’t be like that. It’s not how I operate. It’s not how I think. This money will either be saved, or it will go to pay bills. I’d love to get me a smart phone. Or maybe a new laptop. But no. I don’t really "need" these things.
I got more back from the federal than I paid in. It’s called "earned income tax credit". Read: Welfare. Yes, welfare. No, not traditional welfare. I’ve never taken food stamps, or any kind of traditional welfare. That stuff is anathema to me. I didn’t grow up being taught that the government, the taxpayers, owe someone something. But if you want to be honest, that’s what the earned income tax credit is. Welfare. Our tax system is highly progressive in this country*, and politically, I disagree with this. There should be a flat tax, across the board, 20% for everybody, regardless of how little or how much one earns. But I don’t write the laws. So I’m getting money back. Seriously, have you ever thought about our tax system? The government takes money off the top, out of the paycheck. It is never seen, never missed. And then, once a year, some people get money back! Like Christmas! The government brilliantly designed it this way so that people would think they are getting money from the government when in fact, it was their money to begin with! Well, unless you qualify for the earned income tax credit, in which case you actually get more back than you paid in. Also, all the tax deductions, tax credits, etc? It’s called "social engineering". It’s an ingenious way for the government to get you (and society as a whole) to do things, to behave in certain ways that the government "sees fit", or that the government desires. And usually, it boils down to making people dependent and helping those in power gain more power.
I try not to talk politics much on here because I’m afraid of what people will think of me, afraid of losing readers. I try to be "politically correct", but damn it, this is my diary and I’ll talk about what I want to. And it’s tax time, so I think more about these things this time of year.
I actually helped dad do my taxes this year, so that was a first. He uses Turbo Tax, so it’s not that difficult, at least for mine it’s not. For some people it is rather tedious, depending on many factors. That’s something too, I mean, why do we have a tax system in this country where we have to get help from computer software, or from professionals? Why not make it simple? Why not make it straightforward?
-AR
* I realize that the U.S. Income tax is nowhere near as progressive as some countries, and nowhere near as progressive as it used to be prior the the 1980’s (Thank you, Mr. Reagan). But, it’s still progressive. Probably worse than the progressive tax system in this country is the high corporate tax rates (was 2nd highest in the world behind Japan, but now it’s the highest). Stifle businesses, stifle entrepreneurship, stifle job creation in the private sector and what do you get? An economy like we have right now. Manufacturing moving overseas. 9% Unemployment if you only consider those taking unemployment checks (18% effective unemployment if you add the underemployed, which is my situation, and people who are not taking unemployment).