Taxation without representation-teens

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Ok, as Americans we are guaranteed no taxation without representation, right? What about teenagers under the age of 18 who work? Why are they taxed? Anyone have a clue? They can't vote, therefore they aren't represented. They have to pay Fed and State income tax on their earnings. I'm wondering if there is a justification for this. Thoughts?
BTW, I am an adult, but I have a DD 15 who may think about getting a job this summer or next.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

They don't vote for their representatives, but they do have representation in regards to their interests, such as Child Labor Laws.

 

[DVCLiz]

Ok, as Americans we are guaranteed no taxation without representation, right? What about teenagers under the age of 18 who work? Why are they taxed? Anyone have a clue? They can't vote, therefore they aren't represented. They have to pay Fed and State income tax on their earnings. I'm wondering if there is a justification for this. Thoughts?
BTW, I am an adult, but I have a DD 15 who may think about getting a job this summer or next.

 

[okeydokey]

I thought most teens didn't make enough money to be taxed much at all. They do benefit from taxes though just like everybody else.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

They don't vote for their representatives, but they do have representation in regards to their interests, such as Child Labor Laws.

I never really thought of it that way. I always believed that representation was, at it's core, defined as the right to vote. But then again, maybe not. After all, convicted felons can't vote, but I'm sure they are taxed on their earnings. So who would their representation be considered? The justice system maybe? I'm not sure.

 

[freckles and boo]

I know people who are not US citizens who work legally in professional industries. As resident aliens they are taxed but cannot vote. Is their taxation unfair, too?

 

[etoiles]

I know people who are not US citizens who work legally in professional industries. As resident aliens they are taxed but cannot vote. Is their taxation unfair, too?

True. My husband is not a citizen so he cannot vote either but we still definitely pay our taxes!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I know people who are not US citizens who work legally in professional industries. As resident aliens they are taxed but cannot vote. Is their taxation unfair, too?

Good question. I'm really torn on how I feel about this. I suppose an exemption for teens, felons and non citizens is pretty much impossible. I was only considering the teen issue, didn't think about other groups who are taxed but don't have the right to vote. It's good to ask question on this board because people pose questions that really make you think!

 

[DisneyWalker44]

Ok, as Americans we are guaranteed no taxation without representation, right?

Nope. Just ask the residents of Washington DC

 

[onelilspark]

Teens also get almost, if not all of their taxes back...

 

[mamacatnv]

Our teen never filed a return on his summer pittance until he turned 18 - he also claimed exempt so no federal was ever withheld but he did pay FICA just like everyone else.
Last year was the first year he filed, he had switched to claiming single-1 and he got his refund check yesterday $35 - he actually owed $54 in federal since he went over the minimum of approx $6K

 

[BigGoofy44]

OP - I understand where you are coming from on this issue. I actually began working when I was 10; however, at that time I wasn't earning enough to even file taxes. However, I did an entire project on child suffrage because I felt the same way.

It would be very difficult though, because you might see people from both parties begin hiring their own children or have associated businesses "hire" their children in order to acquire those additional votes.

Children also have not fully developed a full understanding of their views and are more susceptible to influence by their parents.

This is more than just an issue of taxation without representation (which most children should have in the form of their parents, Child Labor Laws and other legal organizations that have been formed to protect children and teenagers)

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Teens also get almost, if not all of their taxes back...

True, but the government has that money, interest free, until tax time.
Anyway, it was a stupid question on my part. I learned that when I got laughed at. Guess it was something obvious and must have missed that day in Economics... I had just never heard a discussion on it.
Back to my hiding place

 

[All American]

It's not just teens. I remember when I was a kid my dad would hand my siblings and a blue folder and told us to sign because it was for taxes. At point, he got so fed up with it that when it was my little brother's turn, who was about 3, my dad said, "They want his signature. They can have it." He then gave my little brother a crayon and told him to sign. It was probably the most colorful tax form the IRS has ever seen.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

OP - I understand where you are coming from on this issue. I actually began working when I was 10; however, at that time I wasn't earning enough to even file taxes. However, I did an entire project on child suffrage because I felt the same way.

It would be very difficult though, because you might see people from both parties begin hiring their own children or have associated businesses "hire" their children in order to acquire those additional votes.

Children also have not fully developed a full understanding of their views and are more susceptible to influence by their parents.

This is more than just an issue of taxation without representation (which most children should have in the form of their parents, Child Labor Laws and other legal organizations that have been formed to protect children and teenagers)

Thanks for the great response. I can totally see how exempting teens would be subsceptible to tax fraud. And I do agree with the parental influence issue.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Was my question really that ignorant? I honestly didn't know.

 

[kirbsam]

its tyranny i tell you. plain and simple tyranny.

 

[All American]

Was my question really that ignorant? I honestly didn't know.

It wasn't ignorant. It was honest. No worries.

 

[Duchie]

I used to live in Auburn Hills, MI, but worked in downtown Detroit. I had to pay Detroit city taxes, yet I could not vote in the city elections since I wasn't a resident. I'm sure the same issue would arise for those who live across the state lines from where they work (in those states who have a state income tax). The whole "taxation without representation" thing is more common than you might think.

 

[Maleficent13]

Was my question really that ignorant? I honestly didn't know.

Please don't let it bother you. Sometimes what may seem a simplistic question to one person is something someone else just hadn't considered, but once they ask, the simplicity becomes apparent to them. It's called *gasp* learning.