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Taxes - Blog Posts
If you live in the USA and you're pleading for donations to pay your rent, bills, or get food then dial 211! Please dial 211 before the last minute!
It's a toll free service with people who will help you find programs in your community to pay those bills, find food, and find housing! They will give you numbers to call so you can get help.
It is not 100% foolproof. Their job is to direct you to a program they believe will help your current issue, but it's still a step up from praying random strangers online will give you enough cash before a deadline! The added benefit of these community programs, which get funded by the local government most of the time, is if there are more people using them then they can get more money to help more people.
You're not taking resources from other people if you use your community services. Your taxes pay for them. Use them.
Dial 211 first to see if they can help, and if for some reason they can't, then make your donation posts!
https://www.211.org/
Reasons Why a Country is Just a Giant Club:
To join, one must pay a fee, have their background checked, and only then receive a membership card.
One must pay a 'maintainance fee' (taxes) to enjoy certain rights within the club. One does not know where all of this money goes.
The representative and leader of the club is a blithering fool who you don't like.
Multiple Headquarters throughout the area.
The chief characteristic of the club is it's chief grievance.
Even Ghetsis Pays his Taxes
*Scene in Pokemon Masters opens*
*We see a bunch of Unovans characters furiously working on papers. A whole range that includes, but not limited to, the player characters.*
*Enter scene: May, Brandon, Maxie, and Archie*
Brandon: Hey Nate! Are you ready for our Pokemon battle?
*Nate looks up*
Nate: Oh! I'm so sorry! I can't go! I have to pay my taxes first!
Brandon: ?
Brandon: You pay taxes?
Nate: Yes! I have to get it before next week! And since we're at Pasio, I'll to mail it overseas. If I don't get it done now, it could be late when it arrives!
Brandon: ?????
Archie: Now don't worry laddie. Isn't that true big of a deal. It will get there when it gets there. Nothing to worry about.
Clay: Nothing to worry about? You won't say that with the government hounding you down! Doing all investigating-
Maxie: Now, now. I understand that paying one's taxes are important, unlike someone here-
Archie: Hey! I pay them! Eventually...
Maxie: But you need not worry too much about being late. Everything sorts itself out. Now about that battle ...
*All the Unovans look at them in abject horror.*
Clay: You don't pay your taxes? And you're a freeman?
Grimsley: Not worry?! Not worry?!?!?
Hilbert: Brandon! May! Do you need help with your taxes? My grandma gave me tips so now I save so much!
Brandon: Wait? I need to pay taxes?!
May: Hold it!!!
*Silence*
May: Why are all of you so worried? Is the government that threatening if you don't pay your taxes?
*Ghetsis chooses that moment to walk on screen with his own sheet of taxes.*
Ghetsis: Child, even I pay my taxes on time. In full.
Rosa: Hey? Can I borrow a pen?
*Ghetsis hands her one.*
All the trainers from Hoenn: WHAT?????
*End Scene*
My wife and I are teachers. Because most education deductions were eliminated by Trump's "tax cuts", our taxes went up by $7000...
"Tax fraud isn't fun anymore."
Tax Benefits For Homeowners
Owning a home has its perks, but with those perks also come other costly responsibilities. But if you are dedicated to being a homeowner, there are some benefits you can enjoy as a result – and they come in the form of tax deductions.
Make sure that you are taking advantage of these 4 tax deductions for homeowners this year:
1. The Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction
No homeowner enjoys looking over their mortgage statement. It’s a reminder that most of your paycheck is tied up in paying your monthly mortgage bill. And to make things worse – as if that isn’t already bad enough – for the first couple of years, that money is only covering the interest of your mortgage. But there is some good news! If you are a single filer, you can deduct interest on up to $500,000 and if you are filing jointly, you can deduct interest on up to $1,000,000.
2. Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Tax Deduction
There is a way to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (or PMI), but it requires that homeowners are able to make a 20% down payment when they first purchase a home. For people who can’t pay that initial fee up-front, there are some tax deductions that are available to undo a bit of that burden. As long as your household doesn’t go over a certain amount of annual income, you can deduct your premiums on your taxes.
3. Home Improvement Loan Interest Tax Deduction
If a home improvement project is on your to-do list, now might be the time to consider going through with it. If you borrow money with the intent of making improvements to your home, you are eligible to deduct the interest you are paying towards the loan. Note: these improvements can’t be counted as repairs to your home, though.
4. Home Office Tax Deduction
If you work from home, you are encouraged to claim a home office tax deduction. This will require a bit of number-crunching on your end because you will need to calculate how much you spend annually on electricity, water, internet bills, etc. Once you have that number, you deduct it from the amount of space your office takes up, which will give you the final deduction that you can claim on your taxes.
It’s important to do your research on the various tax deductions available to you! Many homeowners don’t spend adequate time investigating, which means that they are paying out more money to the IRS than they are required to. Keep as much of your money as you can by seeing if you are eligible for any of the above tax deductions.
(via 75 Items You May Be Able to Deduct from Your Taxes)
Smoliv filing taxes
Asexuals are confused. Bisexuals are confused. Pansexuals are confused. Homosexuals are confused. Heterosexuals are confused. Everyone is confused as to why you think you should have a say about a relationship that doesn’t involve you.
Can't Have Nice Things
The Ketamine King Musk has shutdown the IRS's Free Tax Filing system.
Of all the things a government could off, a way to Freely calculate and file your taxes seems like a good one. But the richest man in the world thinks we shouldn't have that.
I'm not an American, but I reblog! Because what America does, 🇧🇪 Belgium follows like it's lapdog!
Lucky me ...
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
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
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.
What in the heck happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'
I hope this goes around THE USA at least 545 times!!! YOU can help it get there!!!
GO AHEAD. . . BE AN AMERICAN!!!
Author - Charley Reese
Banned from r/Japan for making this title for the post in this screenshot cross posting this https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/s/2bXRKuXRhl Reddit post to it with that title, claiming I violated rules that I didn't
This was a quick and dirty typographic design I had in mind years ago, except that it was one of those ideas that I couldn’t execute to my liking at the time.
After a few years and a bit of spare time, and I’m more or less OK with what I can do for the sake of this particular design.
How a Historian Nailed Billionaires for Their Greed at Davos | NowThis
I watched this 5 years ago and youtube just suggested for me to watch it again. I never did forget about it and I don't want to, because it matters.
This year is about working locally.
2020 Census Citizenship Question
Today the Supreme Court begins hearing arguments about reintroducing a question pertaining to individual citizenship on the 2020 Census—and it’s a smooth political move. It sounds okay, the administration is just trying to get better information about the residents of different areas, but its outcomes are more than that. Similar to this same administrations’ rhetoric about sending the recent immigrants legally applying for refugee and asylum status to ‘sanctuary cities’ this citizenship question could lead to an overall inaccurate population count that would lower those areas with higher immigrant population and with the census would lower their federal funding received and their political representation. Sound familiar? Both outcomes that would fall in favor with the administration that is pushing and put this change into action.
The obvious argument is, don’t answer (illegal) or lie (more illegal). While both of these options shouldn’t be preferred by the government and aren’t preferred by the immigrants themselves, it’s important to also understand the specific type of immigrant. Along with the rest of my family my Aunt has lived in the US for close to sixty years but retains her original citizenship and has not obtained US citizenship. Chances are, this Supreme Court case won’t impact her as her age, appearance, location and other demographic factors don’t match the politicized “immigrant image” but there are those who do fit into that image. There are those who are citizens and whose families have resided in the US for generations but are believed to be “illegals” the same as those who are here recently but legally and will become frightened about answering this question wrong. As immigrants continue to be in the headlines, here are 5 things about US immigrants and international relationships that people should consider.
Taxes
While certain requirements and programs block immigrants and other recent newcomers from services[i] current legal residents and undocumented immigrants both pay taxes even if they may never be entitled to benefits such as social security, Medicaid, or other tax credits. [ii],[iii] In fact, according to Forbes, an estimated 11.64 billion is paid by just undocumented immigrants every year in state and local taxes.[iv]
Hard Workers
NYC and other cities have been under some heat from the current administration for being ‘Sanctuary Cities’ and allowing undocumented immigrants to be there. This annoyance has led to ‘threats’ of dropping all refugee and asylum seekers into sanctuary cities, related to the upcoming Supreme Court case about the 2020 Census Citizenship question and is full of misinformation as it is believed all immigrants (as the current administration confuses just not liking immigrants with illegal actions by those trying to migrate) are just stealing jobs or not working. In addition to this being false with the earlier facts about taxation (and now possible without representation), immigrants are already a large, hard-working part of the US workforce with foreign-born workers making up 25% of the construction industry, 23.1% of the agricultural industry, 20.1% of arts and entertainment, 19.7% of the Professional, Scientific, Management, Administrative and waste-management and 19.4% of educational services, healthcare and social assistance.[v]
For more understanding of the work ethic of all immigrants, please see this video by clicking the link or going to the end of this post:[vi]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7q3ofdJRKc
Leaders and Influencers
As a great reminder, Time Magazine’s 100 came out earlier last week. With many political leaders, tech entrepreneurs, advocates and other females and immigrants both to the US and around the world were highly recognized with some US examples with Sandra Oh (who recently became a US citizen),[vii] Luchita Hurtado and Leana Wen as a pioneer, an artist and a leader.[viii]
Fellow Human-beings
With the treatment of incoming immigrants who are either coming to improve their lives, the lives of their children, or just trying to survive; the treatment in the US has a few looking back at their home countries reevaluating why they came. Fleeing poverty, famine, gang violence and more, some would say “fine”, “go back”, leave this place”; but is that really where we want the bar to be. As reflecting upon immigrant heritage, strength, work ethic, we should also focus on our own. Many values based on religion and the moral compass highlight how you should always look at what you can give and how you can help, similar as many sayings express the ideas that those who suffer most are always the first to give.
NAFTA and food
A big part of countries’ heritage and culture is connected to food, while NY is known as the melting pot, great food and a lot comes from its great diversity, the importing of food impacts all of the US and not just with avocados. While Apples and Oranges are the top fruits overall, that’s mostly from juice. The top actual fruit is Bananas that mostly come from Equador.[ix] 5% of US apples consumed are imported,[x] mostly during non-peak growing season while the rest of apples are grown in 32 different states and exported to Mexico, Canada and other countries.[xi] However, potatoes are also a big staple in the US and while a big production for agriculture, the US is only able to produce 40% of the demand with the balance coming from Mexico and Canada.x Overall, over 25% of US coffee, spices, fish, fresh fruits and juices, sugar, wine and vegetable oils are imported from outside the US[xii] and this is only some of what is imported.
The 2020 Census citizenship isn’t a harmful question in itself. But with the current administration's attack on immigrants, especially on those just trying to become legal residents and citizens, one cannot blame them for being too scared to be truthful. Again, do we want to be the dictators they are fleeing from, do we want them to remove themselves from the country because they are better than how they are being treated--is that our goal? To be just cruel enough to get “our” way-- in that case good to know, I’ll try to get represented elsewhere.
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[i] The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. The US Department of Health and Human Services Website: Administration for Children and Families. Published November 1st, 1996. Last Accessed: April 23rd, 2019.
[ii] Campbell, A. Trump says undocumented immigrants are an economic burden. They pay billions in taxes. Vox Website. https://www.vox.com/2018/4/13/17229018/undocumented-immigrants-pay-taxes. Published: October 25th, 2018. Last Accessed: April 22nd, 2019.
[iii] Martin, M. Do immigrants pay Taxes? Metro New Website. https://www.metro.us/news/politics/do-immigrants-pay-taxes. Published: June 18th, 2018. Last Accessed: April 22nd, 2019.
[iv] McCarthy, N. How Much Tax Do America's Undocumented Immigrants Actually Pay? [Infographic]. Forbes Website. https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2016/10/06/how-much-tax-do-americas-undocumented-immigrants-actually-pay-infographic/#3a9dd3421de0. Published: October 6th, 2016. Last Accessed: April 22nd, 2019.
[v] State Immigration Data Profiles: United States. Migration Policy Institute Website. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/state-profiles/state/workforce/US#. Last Accessed: April 22nd, 2019.
[vi] Few Americans take immigrants' jobs in Alabama. AP Archive Youtube Account. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7q3ofdJRKc. Posted: July 31st, 2015. Last Accessed: April 22nd, 2019.
[vii] Sandra Oh. Monologue. Saturday Night Live Season 44 Episode 16. Aired: March 30th, 2019
[viii] Time 100: The Most Influential People 2019. Time Magazine Website. Accessible at: http://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2019/. Last Accessed: April 22nd, 2019.
[ix] The Most Interesting Fruit in the World (Ep. 375). Freakonomics Radio Archive. http://freakonomics.com/archive/. Posted: April 17th, 2019. Last Accessed: April 22nd, 2019.
[x] United States: Fresh Produce-Imports and Exports. Produce Marketing Association Website. https://www.pma.com/~/media/pma-files/research-and-development/usa.pdf?la=en. Last Accessed: April 23rd, 2019.
[xi] Commodity Apples. Agricultural Marketing Resource Center Website. https://www.agmrc.org/commodities-products/fruits/apples/commodity-apples. Last Revised: December 2017. Last Accessed: April 22nd, 2019.
I played the entire Danger Days album tonight while finishing up my taxes, and just as I stapled them together, the anthem in Goodnight Dr. D hit the staticky part. It felt... poetic.