8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC Part 16

[cruisin'Mike]

Happy 17th Birthday
Angelina!

 

[captaincrash]

[ed]

More tax stuff:

I totally agree that our current tax system is broken, and I'm certainly not arguing for status quo, however...

Flat tax has the potential to seriously effect charitable giving in the US, which is not necessarily a good thing. I make my living as a fundraiser (think 5-7 figure personal and corporate gifts, not selling candy bars or telesolicitation!). Many, many people and companies give because they want to make the world better, they believe in the organization's mission, etc. But tax deduction is ALWAYS in the back of their mind, if not the front for some.

<<<SOAPBOX WARNING>>>​

Without philanthropy, churches close, scouting costs to parents more than quadruple, homeless people don't have shelter or meals, no one shows up to help when your house burns down, greenspace is not preserved, costs of senior care and child care increase exponentially, university tuition increases phenomenally (yes, even at state schools), blood banks & hospitals close...

OK, hopping off my soapbox now.

[ed]

Well... If this is what happens toour community - I'd like to reretract all my soap box monologue - without having to search and edit it out... too much mouse work,....

Your last graphic says it all. The top 20% of wage earners pay 80% of the tax. I bet they pay less than 80% in a flat tax regime.

There is no doubt that the real wealthy can afford fancy tax advice - no different than how the wealthy also have better results when it comes to healthcare or the judicial system. But by and large many of the egregious schemes that folks used years ago have been shut down. The IRS has been doing a very good job clamping down on Tax Shelters of late.

I have seen alot of tax returns in my day and I would say the vast majority dont really play games (even the well to do). In fact most six and seven figure earners that I have seen are more honest on their returns (as they have a valid fear for increased audit risk - as higher income folks are several times more likely to face an audit).

The AMT, I agree is a total mess. When I started doing taxes 20 years ago, you almost didnt need to know what the AMT was (as it impacted so few). Nowadays, the AMT impacts the vast majority of taxpayers earning $100-500k that also live in high tax states (like NY, NJ, CA, MA). And by the way the AMT is basically a flat tax of either 26 or 28%. And its another flat tax I dont like at all!

Let face it our tax system is a mess. Tax simplification is likely a pipe dream. But every so often tax legislation gets passed that one would dream could never happen (tax free home sales every two years, estate tax REFORM, etc.).

Every year when a tax bill gets passed the Congress gives it a fancy name. Like the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. I always rename them the Tax Preparer Relief Act (as we are the ones who really benefit)!

Well neighbors... I somehow feel a bit more enlightened. This flat tax notion was just about the idea we seem to pay more in taxes then some others ... because I'm sure everyones' heard the adage "the grass is greener on the other side"... or something lke that. So... I'd like to agree that our tax system seems imperfect ... and that tax simplification is a pipe dream because there are too many consequences for worthwhile and otherwise influential special interests. It seems all we really have is a certain momentum of special interests gaining legistaive shifts in thier direction. As such I can count myself among the previously unaware beneficiaries of some changes (I just realized this) ... so with THAT I'd like to diplomaticly shift my opinion into saying some things about our tax system overall have been good for us after all. Yes, I know... I've been cryptic - yes. But then - I'm sure no one is surprised at my gibberish here.

 

[PBader]

Happy Birthday
Angelina

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ing the wish! Happy birthday Angelina.

 

[captaincrash]

And for you Angelina... a custom made CAKE...
...with one small adjustment yet to be done ...
.. please add a "7" behind the one and we're all set to go!!!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I need a bit of help from the California folks.

Any opinions/experiences using Amtrak to get fro DL to the San Diego Zoo?

The schedule and prices look great. The ride is only 2 hours and 6 minutes. I plugged in a late July date and the price was only $32.40 each way.

Since I can't drive (I'm working on it) renting a car isn't an option. We'll have to do a charter bus service or Amtrak. We'd both prefer the train.

I did a search on the Disneyland boards a came up with a few post about this, but they are all from a few years ago.

 

[PBader]

I was gonna avoid all the debates about taxes. I don't like to pay them, but I do. Now I LOVE the changes that affected businesses with our Section 179 equipment depreciation. It really gave us an incentive to invest $$ back into our small businesses.

 

[The FairyGodmother]

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Happy Birthday Angelina. Hope you have an awesome birthday! ​

 

[disneyjunkie]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGELINA

 

[Stepht5]

I'm still shopping the movie and book rights Stephanie/Paula/Chrissie <chuckles> ... interested parties can PM me to connect to my agent! Thank you for the encouragement though... it's all true. Maybe later on the cruise I can recant the stories with all the glittery details over a nice cup of coffee or ice tea? Of course, You'll have to sign a non-disclosure agreement though .... I gotta protect my publication rights, ya-knooo!!!

OK... I really gotta go now!​

I would love to!

 

[allshookup]

Happy Birthday Angelina!!!

 

[Verandah Man]

I sent a link to Angelina so she could see all her birthday wishes. Angelina asked me to say "THANKS" to everyone for making her 17th Birthday so special.

Hazel and I will be taking Angelina and her best friend Trish to Ruby Tuesday for dinner, followed by some shopping in the mall.

 

[silmarg]

I was gonna avoid all the debates about taxes. I don't like to pay them, but I do. Now I LOVE the changes that affected businesses with our Section 179 equipment depreciation. It really gave us an incentive to invest $$ back into our small businesses.

Its what congress was hoping for with the expanded section 179 deduction.

I think they passed that one after 9/11 in the hopes of keeping the economy going.

 

[PBader]

Its what congress was hoping for with the expanded section 179 deduction.

I think they passed that one after 9/11 in the hopes of keeping the economy going.

They did Sil! I sure hope they keep this one.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

I need a bit of help from the California folks.

Any opinions/experiences using Amtrak to get fro DL to the San Diego Zoo?

The schedule and prices look great. The ride is only 2 hours and 6 minutes. I plugged in a late July date and the price was only $32.40 each way.

Since I can't drive (I'm working on it) renting a car isn't an option. We'll have to do a charter bus service or Amtrak. We'd both prefer the train.

I did a search on the Disneyland boards a came up with a few post about this, but they are all from a few years ago.

LaTanya my DW and DD traveled from where we live (north of LA) to San Diego on Amtrak a few years back. It was a Girl Scout thing at Sea World. They loved it. I did find some information on Amtrak and Disneyland.

Amtrak serves the Anaheim station, which is only about 2.5 miles from Disneyland. The Anaheim station is fully staffed and has an enclosed waiting area. You can call for taxi service to Disneyland, and it won't cost much.
It's a short (just over 2 hours), pleasant Amtrak train ride between San Diego and Anaheim, so you can certainly combine the delights of SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo with your trip to Disneyland. It's also relatively inexpensive -- you can travel between San Diego and Anaheim for about $20 (or less with various promotions) each way. From the main station in San Diego, it's an inexpensive taxi fare to downtown and the major attractions.

I do know where the train station is in San Diego (close to Seaport Village). It is no more than 2 miles to the zoo from there. I can't imagine a taxi ride of more than $15. Hope this helps.

San Diego Train Station

Inside the train

 

[disneyjunkie]

LaTanya my DW and DD traveled from where we live (north of LA) to San Diego on Amtrak a few years back. It was a Girl Scout thing at Sea World. They loved it. I did find some information on Amtrak and Disneyland.

I do know where the train station is in San Diego (close to Seaport Village). It is no more than 2 miles to the zoo from there. I can't imagine a taxi ride of more than $15. Hope this helps.

San Diego Train Station

Inside the train

Thank you, thank you, thank you

 

[tom31b]

Is there an internet calculator or some secret formula to figure out if I am better off keeping my child care deduction or starting a dependant care flexible spending account? I've never had the option of an FSA and I'm not sure which would be best. I would think that somewhere I could plug in our taxable income, and child care costs to come up with an answer - I just haven't found it yet!

Usually its worth it, lowers your overall taxable income

Here is a calculator

 

[cruisin'Mike]

Hey Debi,

I was searching the net for pirate costumes (instead of doing homework...shhh!) and came across this. I thought of Harley!

It might make a good freak flag for you. Your very own Jolly Harley!

 

[radioclash2]

PHL to LAX, non-stop $144/person, Sat the 16th of August 08

good or no good?

 

[radioclash2]

PHL to LAX, non-stop $144/person, Sat the 16th of August 08

good or no good?

never mind, looks like the date is too far in future & kayak defaulted the date

 

[The FairyGodmother]

Hey Debi,

I was searching the net for pirate costumes (instead of doing homework...shhh!) and came across this. I thought of Harley!

It might make a good freak flag for you. Your very own Jolly Harley!

Now that is cute!!!!